Physical activity has numerous beneficial effects on metabolic and inflammatory processes

Abstract

Obesity is a long-term multifactorial chronic disease, characterized by energy imbalance, due to an excess of caloric intake compared to energy expenditure and deregulation of other metabolic parameters, as, altered lipid profile, increased insulin resistance and chronic pro-inflammatory state. A healthy lifestyle, characterized by hypocaloric diet and physical activity, is important to reduce a chronic inflammation, oxidative stress and metabolic disorders typical of obesity. It is well known that the chronic inflammation state and oxidative stress are responsible for the aging and development of many diseases, such as cancer. In the light of these evidences, the aim of this study is to analyse body composition, metabolic profile and oxidative stress levels in obese patients subjected to a physical activity program before and after weight loss. We analysed the glycaemic and lipid profile, body composition such as visceral adipose tissue (VAT), fat mass (FM), and the dROMs serum levels via the Fenton's reaction. We found that in obese patients before physical activity intervention there are higher levels in dROMs serum levels, altered glycaemic and lipid profile and body composition compared to obese patients after physical activity intervention. In conclusion, the physical activity has numerous beneficial effects in obesity, modulating not only metabolic profile but also inflammatory and oxidative stress response.