These observations sustain the hypothesis that epigenetic modifications might underpin the development of obesity and related metabolic disorders. They also validate the use of blood leukocytes and MS-PCR as a reliable and affordable methodology for the identification of epigenetic modifications that could be used as molecular markers to predict and follow up the physiological changes associated with obesity and insulin resistance.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was declared a pandemic and international health emergency by the World Health Organization. Patients with obesity with COVID-19 are 7 times more likely to need invasive mechanical ventilation than are patients without obesity (OR 7.36; 95% CI: 1.63–33.14, p = 0.021). Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is one of the main causes of death related to COVID-19 and is triggered by a cytokine storm that damages the respiratory epithelium. Interleukins that cause the chronic low-grade inflammatory state of obesity, such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, monocyte chemoattractant peptide (MCP)-1, and, in particular, IL-17A and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), also play very important roles in lung damage in ARDS. Therefore, obesity is associated with an immune state favourable to a cytokine storm. Our hypothesis is that serum concentrations of TNF-α and IL-17A are more elevated in patients with obesity and COVID-19, and consequently, they have a greater probability of developing ARDS and death. The immunobiology of IL-17A and TNF-α opens a new fascinating field of research for COVID-19.

Our present study confirmed obstructive pattern of pulmonary function characterized by the reduced FEV/FVC ratio in the obese adolescents with asthma. These pulmonary deficits were associated inversely with the increased BMI percentile.

SummaryMaternal obesity is one of the main public health problems at a world level. It is a multifactorial disease with multiple causes, and few studies exist on its dietary patterns, physical activity and social determinants. This work aims to identify determinants of maternal obesity in a middle income country. Research is based on a prospective cohort design. Data were collected using questionnaires applied to pregnant women. Three dietary patterns were identified, and only half of the women carry out physical activity. The regression analysis showed an association between overweight/obesity and the following variables: age 25 to 29 years old (3.8; CI 1.6‐9.0), 30 to 34 years old (3.7; CI 1.2‐11.6); health problems during pregnancy (2.1; CI 1.0‐4.1); socio‐economic income (1.73; CI 1.54‐2.05); hypertension (2.7; CI 1.4‐4.5); mild food insecurity (1.9; CI 1.0‐3.8); moderate insecurity (3.7; CI 0.92‐15.4); refined food dietary pattern (.76; CI.61‐.95). The risk of increasing BMI during pregnancy mainly depends on socioeconomic and demographic variables such as age, educational level, income, food insecurity, and dietary pattern. This study's results could be used as evidences for the revision, planning, and adjustment of interventions for the prevention and management of maternal obesity, as a part of the national strategies against overweight and obesity.