title: Telomere length as a biomarker for adiposity changes after a multidisciplinary intervention in overweight/obese adolescents: the EVASYON study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  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.
  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).
  
  
  RESULTS
  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 (+1.9±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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Food Science and Physiology, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: García-Calzón
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Food Science and Physiology, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
authors.forename: Adriana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moleres
authors.affiliation: Immunonutrition Research Group, Department of Metabolism and Nutrition, Institute of Food Science, Technology, and Nutrition, Instituto del Frío, Spanish National Research Council, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Ascensión
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marcos
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Department, Medicine School, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Campoy
authors.affiliation: GENUD (Growth, Exercise, Nutrition and Development) Research Group, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.
authors.forename: Luis A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Moreno
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, University of Navarra Hospital, Pamplona, Spain.
authors.forename: M Cristina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Azcona-Sanjulián
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain ; CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Miguel A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Martínez-González
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Food Science and Physiology, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain ; CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: J Alfredo
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Martínez
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
authors.forename: Guillermo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zalba
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Food Science and Physiology, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain ; CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Amelia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marti
mesh_terms: D050154:Adiposity / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D000293:Adolescent; D000886:Anthropometry; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000737:chemistry*; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D004038:Diet, Reducing / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy; D050177:Overweight / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D016615:Telomere / Q000235:genetics*; D061217:Weight Reduction Programs
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D017931:DNA Primers