Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 8, 2025
09:36
Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
27.2K
Long-Term Obesity and Biological Aging in Young Adults
Paulina Correa-Burrows1,2, Raquel Burrows1, Cecilia Albala1,2
1Institute of Nutrition & Food Technology, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
JAMA Network Open
|July 11, 2025
Summary
Long-term obesity in young adults is linked to accelerated biological aging markers, suggesting potential for early chronic diseases. This study highlights the impact of obesity duration on aging indicators.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Science
- Aging Research
- Obesity Studies
Background:
- Obesity's impact on accelerating biological aging and early chronic disease onset remains unclear.
- Understanding the link between long-term obesity and aging markers in young adults is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between long-term obesity and biochemical aging markers in adults aged 28-31 years.
- To explore how obesity duration influences markers of epigenetic alterations, inflammation, and cellular aging.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study using data from the prospective Chilean birth cohort (Santiago Longitudinal Study).
- Analysis of body mass index (BMI) trajectories since birth to categorize participants into healthy BMI, persistent adolescent, or persistent childhood obesity groups.
- Assessment of DNA methylation-based age, telomere length (TL), and aging-related cytokines, growth factors, and adipomyokines.
Main Results:
- Long-term obesity, particularly since childhood, was significantly associated with increased levels of inflammatory markers like hs-CRP and IL-6.
- Obesity duration correlated with altered expression of aging hallmarks, including FGF-21, IGF-1, IGF-2, apelin, and irisin.
- A large effect size was observed for the association between long-term obesity and these biochemical aging markers.
Conclusions:
- Long-term obesity in young adults is associated with biochemical aging markers indicative of accelerated biological aging.
- Findings suggest that chronic health issues in young adults may stem from obesity-induced biological aging.
- This research underscores the importance of early obesity intervention to mitigate long-term health consequences.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:24Obesity
609
The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used to categorize individuals into weight ranges. It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses health risks, often diagnosed with a BMI ≥ 30. This excess fat storage occurs when surplus dietary calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in...
609
01:26Aging
174
Aging is a complex biological phenomenon influenced by various processes that affect cellular and systemic functions. Several prominent theories attempt to explain its mechanisms, highlighting cellular limitations, oxidative damage, and hormonal changes as central factors in aging.
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...
174
01:19The Effect of Aging on Tissues
2.4K
Several body functions deteriorate with age. The external signs of aging are easily identifiable. For example, the skin becomes dry, less elastic, and thins out, forming wrinkles. The skin of the face begins to appear looser due to a decrease in the levels of elastic and collagen fibers in the connective tissue. Additionally, melanin production in the hair follicle decreases with age, resulting in gray hair. Moreover, the senses of sight and hearing decline, so glasses and hearing aids may...
2.4K
02:20Longitudinal Research
12.4K
Sometimes we want to see how people change over time, as in studies of human development and lifespan. When we test the same group of individuals repeatedly over an extended period of time, we are conducting longitudinal research. Longitudinal research is a research design in which data-gathering is administered repeatedly over an extended period of time. For example, we may survey a group of individuals about their dietary habits at age 20, retest them a decade later at age 30, and then again...
12.4K
01:29Bone Disorders
3.9K
Aging and its effect on bone remodeling is the most common cause of bone disorders. In young and healthy people, bone deposition and resorption happen at an equal rate to maintain optimal bone health.
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
3.9K
01:02Hypodermis
5.3K
The hypodermis (the subcutaneous layer or superficial fascia) is present directly below the dermis. It connects the skin to the underlying fascia (fibrous tissue) of the bones and muscles. It is not strictly a part of the skin, although the border between the hypodermis and dermis can be difficult to distinguish. The hypodermis consists of well-vascularized, loose, areolar connective tissue and adipose tissue, which functions as a mode of fat storage and provides insulation and cushioning for...
5.3K