Lockdown-induced inactivity may impair teens’ metabolic profile

Forced sedentary behaviour, brought about by the COVID-19 lockdown, has negative effects on the metabolic and inflammatory profile of many teenagers, which can potentially lead to long-term poor health outcomes, suggests a study.

Seventy-seven healthy adolescents from southern Italy before and after the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown were included in this study. The authors analysed the participants’ anthropometric measurements, body composition, and Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence, along with their serum metabolic and inflammatory profile.

In addition, the biological properties of prelockdown and postlockdown serum on human HepG2 and HuH-7 hepatic cells were assessed.

No significant differences were noted in anthropometric and body composition parameters as well as MD adherence score in participants between prelockdown and postlockdown COVID-19.

Although the metabolic profile of adolescents after the lockdown was within the normal range, there were increased levels seen in fasting glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL), as well as a decrease in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) postlockdown compared with prelockdown adolescent serum.

The authors also observed increased levels of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin-1β, and ferritin in postlockdown versus prelockdown adolescents.

“Consistent with the biochemical parameters, we observed enhanced lipid accumulation with altered mitochondrial functions and increased reactive oxygen species production in HepG2 and HuH-7 cells treated with pooled serum from postlockdown with respect to prelockdown period,” they added.

In receiver operator characteristic curve analysis, it was found that total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, TNF-α, and ferritin could serve as predictors for metabolic and inflammatory profiling after the lockdown period.

“The COVID-19 pandemic and its lockdown restrictions changed people's lifestyles with potential negative impact on health,” the authors said.