Abstract
Background: The relationship between adiposity at birth and in childhood, and telomere length is yet to be determined. We aimed to systematically review and meta-analyse the results of studies assessing associations between neonatal and later childhood adiposity, and telomere length. Methods: We searched Medline, EMBASE and PubMed for studies reporting associations between adiposity measured in the neonatal period or later childhood/adolescence, and leucocyte telomere length, measured at any age via quantitative polymerase chain reaction, or terminal restriction fragment analysis, either cross-sectionally, or longitudinally. Papers published before April 2017 were included. Results: Out of 230 abstracts assessed, 23 papers (32 estimates) were retained, from which 19 estimates were meta-analysed (15 cross-sectional, four longitudinal). Of the 15 cross-sectional estimates, seven reported on neonates: four used binary exposures of small-for-gestational-age vs. appropriate-for-gestational age (or appropriate- and large-for-gestational age), and three studied birth weight continuously. Eight estimates reported on later childhood or adolescent measures; five estimates were from studies of binary exposures (overweight/obese vs. non-obese children), and three studies used continuous measures of body mass index. All four longitudinal estimates were of neonatal adiposity, with two estimates for small-for-gestational-age vs. appropriate-for-gestational age neonates, and two estimates of birth weight studied continuously, in relation to adult telomere (49-61 years). There was no strong evidence of an association between neonatal or later childhood/adolescent adiposity, and telomere length. However, between study heterogeneity was high, and there were few combinable studies. Conclusions: Our systematic review and meta-analysis found no strong evidence of an association between neonatal or later childhood or adolescent adiposity and telomere length.
Highlights
Telomeres are regions of repetitive (TTAGGG)n sequences situated at the ends of chromosomes
We considered both cross-sectional studies in which adiposity and telomere length were measured concurrently and longitudinal studies in which adiposity was measured in the neonatal period/childhood and telomere length was measured after a follow-up period, i.e. in either childhood or adulthood
We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis of adiposity measured before 19 years of age in relation to longitudinal or cross-sectional estimates of telomere length measured in blood
Summary
Telomeres are regions of repetitive (TTAGGG)n sequences situated at the ends of chromosomes. In addition to disease states, an association has been observed between unhealthy lifestyle factors and a reduction in telomere length5 This has led to the suggestion that telomere length may lie on the causal pathway between traditional risk factors and chronic disease. This has led to the suggestion that telomere length may lie on the causal pathway between traditional risk factors and chronic disease6 One such studied risk factor is adiposity; there is evidence that greater adiposity in adults is associated with shorter telomere length, in both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. We aimed to systematically review and meta-analyse the results of studies assessing associations between neonatal and later childhood adiposity, and telomere length. Conclusions: Our systematic review and meta-analysis found no strong evidence of an association between neonatal or later childhood or adolescent adiposity and telomere length
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