1. To determine the serum levels of Proopiomelanocortin (POMC) and Oxyntomodulin (OXM) in obese individuals with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
2. To investigate the relationship between Proopiomelanocortin (POMC), Oxyntomodulin (OXM), and the studied biochemical parameters in obese individuals with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
3. To determine selected biochemical parameters, including fasting blood sugar (FBS), lipid profile, serum insulin, and the Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR).
4. To evaluate the diagnostic value and determine the optimal cut-off values of POMC and OXM.

This study, which was conducted at the University of Baghdad / College of Science for Women / Department of Chemistry and Al Yarmouk Teaching Hospital in Baghdad, Iraq, between August to November 2025. Serum levels of  POMC and OXM were measured using (Competitive ELISA), while serum insulin levels were determined using (Sandwich ELISA). Fasting blood sugar (FBS) and lipid profile were analyzed using a spectrophotometer, and (HOMA-IR) was calculated based on fasting blood glucose and serum insulin levels.

1. 1.To validate the diagnostic value of POMC and OXM in larger and more diverse populations.2.To investigate additional biomarkers alongside POMC and OXM for improved discrimination between obesity and obesity with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

   3.To determine whether alterations in POMC and OXM levels precede or result from metabolic disorders.

   4.To further explore the association of POMC and OXM with insulin esistance using advanced statistical.

   5.To evaluate the effects of weight loss, dietary interventions, and therapeutic strategies on POMC and OXM levels.

   6.To investigate circadian variations in POMC secretion to improve its diagnostic value in obesity and T2DM.