Abstract
ContextTelomeres are biomarkers of biological aging. Shorter telomeres have been associated with increased adiposity in adults. However, this relationship remains unclear in children and adolescents.ObjectiveTo evaluate the association between telomere length (TL) and adiposity markers in overweight/obese adolescents after an intensive program. We hypothesize that greater TL at baseline would predict a better response to a weight loss treatment.Design, Setting, Patients and InterventionThe EVASYON is a multidisciplinary treatment program for adolescents with overweight and obesity that is aimed at applying the intervention to all possibly involved areas of the individual, such as dietary habits, physical activity and cognitive and psychological profiles. Seventy-four participants (36 males, 38 females, 12–16 yr) were enrolled in the intervention program: 2 months of an energy-restricted diet and a follow-up period (6 months).Main OutcomeTL was measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction at baseline and after 2 months; meanwhile, anthropometric variables were also assessed after 6 months of follow-up.ResultsTL lengthened in participants during the intensive period (+1.9±1.0, p<0.001) being greater in overweight/obese adolescents with the shortest telomeres at baseline (r = −0.962, p<0.001). Multivariable linear regression analysis showed that higher baseline TL significantly predicted a higher decrease in body weight (B = −1.53, p = 0.005; B = −2.25, p = 0.047) and in standard deviation score for body mass index (BMI-SDS) (B = −0.22, p = 0.010; B = −0.47, p = 0.005) after the intensive and extensive period treatment respectively, in boys.ConclusionOur study shows that a weight loss intervention is accompanied by a significant increase in TL in overweight/obese adolescents. Moreover, we suggest that initial longer TL could be a potential predictor for a better weight loss response.
Highlights
Telomeres are tandem TTAGGG repeats of DNA that, together with associated protein factors, cap the ends of chromosomes and promote chromosome stability [1]
telomere length (TL) lengthened in participants during the intensive period (+1.961.0, p,0.001) being greater in overweight/obese adolescents with the shortest telomeres at baseline (r = 20.962, p,0.001)
Multivariable linear regression analysis showed that higher baseline TL significantly predicted a higher decrease in body weight (B = 21.53, p = 0.005; B = 22.25, p = 0.047) and in standard deviation score for body mass index (BMI-SDS) (B = 20.22, p = 0.010; B = 20.47, p = 0.005) after the intensive and extensive period treatment respectively, in boys
Summary
Telomeres are tandem TTAGGG repeats of DNA that, together with associated protein factors, cap the ends of chromosomes and promote chromosome stability [1]. In turn, depends on cell replication rate, cumulative exposure to agents that produce DNA damage (such as oxidative, inflammatory, endocrine and other forms of biological stress), and activity of the telomerase enzyme [3]. Existing data on the relationship between obesity and TL in adults have yielded equivocal results; several studies reported an inverse association of TL with obesity [8,9,10,11], but others did not [12,13]. There is just one study regarding the relationship between adiposity and TL in adolescents that showed no association, but it demonstrated that race and sex differences in TL have already emerged during adolescence [17]
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