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The aim of this study was to determine the potential role of leukocyte telomere length as a biomarker for development of childhood obesity in a low-income Latino population. A birth cohort of Latino children (N = 201) in San Francisco (recruited May 2006-May 2007) was followed until age 9 and assessed annually for obesity and dietary intake. Leukocyte telomere length was measured at 4 and 5 years (n = 102) and assessed as a predictor for obesity at age 9, adjusting for known risk factors. Furthermore, leukocyte telomere length at age 4 and 5 was evaluated as a possible mediator of the relationship between excessive sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and obesity at age 9. Shorter leukocyte telomere length in preschoolers was associated with obesity at age 9 (adjusted odds ratio 0.35, 95% confidence interval 0.13-0.94) after adjustment for known risk factors. Telomere length mediated 11% of the relationship between excessive sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and obesity. Shorter leukocyte telomere length may be an indicator of future obesity risk in high-risk populations as it is particularly sensitive to damage from oxidative stress exposure, including those from sugar-sweetened beverages.

Studies examining associations with healthful diet patterns and leukocyte telomere length (LTL) have been inconclusive. Using data from the 1999–2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES), we examined four evidence-based measures of healthful dietary patterns in relation to LTL – the Healthy Eating Index-2010, the Alternate Healthy Eating Index-2010, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Index, and the Alternate Mediterranean Diet Index. The NHANES study population included 4,758 US adults, aged 20 to 65 years, with no prior history of coronary heart disease, diabetes, stroke, or cancer. LTL was assayed from DNA specimens. Dietary patterns were estimated from 24-hour dietary recall data – for each pattern, a higher score signified better diet quality. Associations were examined using multivariate linear regression models, adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, health behaviors, and total energy intake. Pearson correlation coefficients between the four dietary patterns ranged from 0.609 to 0.730. One-standard-deviation increases in the Healthy Eating Index-2010 (B=0.015, 95% CI 0.003, 0.028) and the DASH index (B=0.016, 95% CI 0.003, 0.029) were both associated with longer LTL. A marginally significant association was also observed with the Alternate Healthy Eating Index-2010 (B=0.009, 95% CI -0.000, 0.018). Further adjustment for body mass index and waist circumference did not alter these associations. The Alternate Mediterranean Diet Index was not associated with LTL (B=0.002, 95% CI -0.009, 0.013). In this nationally representative sample of US adults, several healthful diet patterns were associated with longer LTL. These results may provide insight on the complex associations between optimal nutrition and longevity.