Effects of physical distancing by COVID-19 pandemic on diet quality, neurological and immunological markers, and fecal microbiota of Brazilian older women

Abstract

Physical distancing was used to prevent transmission of COVID-19, however there are concerns that this may promote harmful impacts on health, such as reduced levels of physical practice and changes in food intake and gut microbiota composition. This study evaluated the impacts of 6 months physical distancing on Brazilian older women upon body mass index (BMI), strength, physical activity level (IPAQ), eating habits, neurological markers (brain-derived neurotrophic factor-BDNF and cortisol), cytokines (IL-2, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, interferon-IFN-γ, tumor necrosis factor-TNF-α), aging-associated markers (vascular endothelial growth factor-VEGF, insulin-like growth factor-IGF-1, klotho and thymic stromal lymphopoietin-TSLP), besides specific groups of fecal microbiota. Fifteen women, over 60 years old, residents of São Paulo state (Brazil), were evaluated in March and in September 2020. The older adult women, with a mean age 66 ± 6.2 years presented significantly increased BMI and high effect size for non-protective foods consumption, reduced light physical activity and strength 6 months following the physical distancing. Furthermore, the serum concentration of IFN-γ, IGF-1, and IFN-γ/IL-5 were significantly higher, while lower concentration of IL-2 and IL-5 were observed 6 months after the physical distancing. Significant increase was noted only to Blautia spp. abundance after 6 months of physical distancing. Several correlations were observed at both before and after physical distancing, however, interestingly, many of them were lost or inverted 6 months following, while new ones emerged. Taken together, these results showed that lifestyle changes and stress conditions addressed by physical distancing from the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the health of older women included in the present study. Therefore, future follow-up studies are essential to propose interventions in order to restore the health conditions observed before the pandemic period, and thus to maintain the quality of life of older adults in different socioeconomic contexts.

The Longevity Protein Klotho: A Promising Tool to Monitor Lifestyle Improvements

“…On the other hand, light-to-moderate exercise has been shown to be superior to intense exercise in improving health and longevity. A study on Brazilian women aged over 60 showed a strong positive correlation between light physical activity and klotho levels [5]. Overall, this is consistent with the literature, which states that moderate physical activity improves life expectancy and longevity compared to a sedentary lifestyle [66].…”

“…One way to prevent and even reverse chronic diseases is through lifestyle changes through health promotion and education [4]. This also helps delay the onset of geriatric syndrome (frailty, cognitive decline, and reduced performance in the activities on the daily living scale) [5]. This is why a new discipline of medicine has emerged to specifically address this issue: lifestyle medicine [6].…”

Association between Gut Microbiota and Muscle Strength in Japanese General Population of the Iwaki Health Promotion Project

“…In addition, there have been some reports on the association between Blautia and exercise habits. In a study focusing on women, a positive correlation between Blautia and exercise intensity was reported [ 37 ]. Moreover, a report on childhood obesity, including both men and females, suggested that a 12-week exercise program combining strength training and aerobic exercise might lead to an increase in Blautia [ 38 ].…”