Epigenetic approach in obesity: DNA methylation in a prepubertal population which underwent a lifestyle modification.

Background: Metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) is a considerably controversial concept as it is considered a transitory condition towards the development of different pathologies (type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, or cardiovascular disease). MHO is closely related to lifestyle and environmental factors. Epigenetics has become an essential biological tool to analyze the link between obesity and metabolic status.

Lifestyle Modification Improves Insulin Resistance and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in a Metabolically Healthy Obese Prepubescent Population.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze effects of a 12-month lifestyle modification that involved a Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) and physical activity (PA) program in a population of metabolically healthy obese children (MHOCh).

Methods: We included a population of MHOCh with ≤1 of the following criteria: waist circumference and blood pressure ≥90 percentile, triglycerides >150 mg/dL, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c) <40 mg/dL, or impaired fasting glucose. After 12 months of intensive lifestyle modification, anthropometric measurements, glycemic and lipid profiles, adherence to the MedDiet, energy intake, PA, body composition, and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) were analyzed.