Body mass index is negatively associated with telomere length: a collaborative cross-sectional meta-analysis of 87 observational studies.
Level 3 - non-randomized controlled study
Meta-analysis of cross-sectional observational studies
PubMed 30535086 · doi:10.1093/ajcn/nqy107
What was done
A collaborative cross-sectional meta-analysis of 87 distinct observational study samples (146,114 total individuals) evaluated the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and leukocyte telomere length (TL). Study-specific age- and sex-adjusted regression coefficients for both absolute TL (base pairs [bp]) and relative TL (telomere-to-single-copy gene ratio [T/S ratio]) against BMI were pooled using random-effects models. Subgroup analyses were stratified by age (young: 18–60 y; middle: 61–75 y; old: >75 y), sex, and ethnicity.
What was found
In the total pooled sample, each 1-unit increase in BMI corresponded to a -3.99 bp difference in TL (95% CI: -5.17, -2.81 bp) and a -1.58 × 10⁻³ unit relative T/S ratio difference (-0.16%; 95% CI: -2.14 × 10⁻³, -1.01 × 10⁻³). Among young adults (18–60 y), the inverse association was stronger: each 1-unit increase in BMI corresponded to a -7.67 bp difference (95% CI: -10.03, -5.31 bp) and a -2.58 × 10⁻³ unit T/S ratio difference (-0.26%; 95% CI: -3.92 × 10⁻³, -1.25 × 10⁻³). The associations were predominantly observed in the white pooled population, with no significant differences between sexes.
Why it matters
This large meta-analysis demonstrates a consistent inverse association between adiposity and leukocyte telomere length across adult populations, suggesting that excess weight is associated with accelerated cellular aging, particularly earlier in adulthood.
Limits
All included studies were cross-sectional, precluding causal inference or determination of whether longitudinal changes in weight alter telomere shortening rates. The findings were predominantly observed in white populations, limiting generalizability to other racial and ethnic groups. Residual confounding from unmeasured lifestyle and health factors across heterogeneous studies cannot be excluded.
Cited by
- supports Multiple meta-analyses show an inverse association between body mass index (BMI) and telomere length.