Abstract: Context: Telomeres are biomarkers of biological aging. Shorter telomeres have been associated with increased adiposity in
adults. However, this relationship remains unclear in children and adolescents.
Objective: To 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 Intervention: The 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 Outcome: TL 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.
Results: 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.
Conclusion: Our 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.
Fuente: PLoS One. 2014 Feb 24; 9 (2): e89828
Editorial: Public Library of Science
Fecha de publicación: 24/02/2014
Nº de páginas: 8
Tipo de publicación: Artículo de Revista
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0089828
ISSN: 1932-6203
Proyecto español: SAF2010-20367 ; CB06/
03/1017