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Abstract: Objectives: Telomere length (TL) is a biomarker of aging and age‐related decline. Although venous blood is considered the “gold standard” for TL measurement, its collection is often not feasible or desired in nonclinical settings. Saliva and dried blood spots (DBS) have been used as alternatives when venipuncture cannot be performed. However, it is not known whether these sample types yield TL measurements comparable to those obtained from venous blood. We sought to determine whether different samples from the same individual yield comparable TL measurements. Methods: We extracted DNA from matched buffy coat, saliva (Oragene and Oasis), and DBS (venous and capillary) samples from 40 women aged 18‐77 years. We used the monochrome multiplex qPCR (MMQPCR) assay to measure TL in all sample types for each participant and applied quality control measures to retain only high‐quality samples for analysis. We then compared TL from buffy coat and saliva to examine how these measurements differ and to test if TL is correlated across sample types. Results: TL differed significantly across buffy coat, Oragene saliva, and Oasis saliva samples. TL from buffy coat and Oragene saliva was moderately correlated (ρ = 0.48, P = .002) and the most similar in size. Oasis saliva TL was not correlated with buffy coat or Oragene saliva TL, and was the shortest. DBS DNA yields were inadequate for TL measurement using the MMQPCR assay. Conclusions: Using a matched dataset we demonstrate that sample type significantly influences the TL measurement obtained using the MMQPCR assay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives The obesity epidemic in Mexico is increasing and represents a considerable public health challenge. The population aged 50 years and older is also increasing and is not exempt from the obesity rise. We aimed to determine the current prevalence of Body Mass Index (BMI) categories in a sample of Mexicans aged 50 years and older and to test the associations of BMI with physical activity categories and related factors. Methods Data from 2,032 individuals aged 50 years and older who participated in SAGE Wave 1 (2009-2010) were analyzed. Representativeness of the sample was obtained by using weighted data. Descriptive statistics, chi square tests, simple regression analysis, and multiple regression analysis were performed in relation to BMI, self-reported physical activity categories, and several variables, including demographic characteristics and selected risk factors for non-communicable diseases. Results Among older adults, 0.6% was found to be underweight, 21.4% normal weight, 49.4% overweight, and 28.7% obese. It was also found that practicing vigorous intensity physical activity (−1.32) and being 80 years or older (−2.73) were significantly associated ( P < 0.05) with a lower mean BMI (28.3). In contrast, being in the lowest income quintile (1.35), and living in urban areas (0.86) were significantly associated with a higher mean BMI. Conclusions The study results contribute to the current understanding of obesity etiology in Mexico, and moreover confirm that overweight and obesity are current public health problems that must be addressed in specific subgroups of older adults. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 27:326-333, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]