In contrast to previous studies showing elevated levels of IL-17 in obese adults, we found a decreasing trend in overweight adolescents. This difference could possibly be related to the fact that disease conditions associated with obesity such as hypertension, vascular pathologies, diabetes, and a triggering of the Th1/Th17 axis were not yet present in overweight teenagers.

We demonstrated elevated MIF levels in obese adolescents. Taken together with other markers, this indicates the presence of low-grade inflammation in these young subjects, possibly representing a link between obesity and related co-morbidities.