Long-Term Obesity and Biological Aging in Young Adults
Authors' conclusion
In this multiple-events case-control study, long-term obesity was associated with the expression of biochemical aging markers in adults aged 28 to 31 years, consistent with epigenetic alterations, telomere attrition, chronic inflammation, impaired nutrient sensing, mitochondrial stress, and compromised intercellular communication. In young adults, chronic health issues may emerge from accelerated biological aging associated with long-term obesity.
Study context
- Population
- Adults aged 28 to 31 years in the Santiago Longitudinal Study, a prospective Chilean birth cohort with health and nutrition data from September 1992; mean (SD) age 28.9 (0.6) years, 49% female
- Participants
- 205 adults
- Comparison
- Persistent obesity since adolescence or since childhood vs healthy body mass index (BMI) across the life course
- Group 1n = 89reference
- Group 2n = 43
- Group 3n = 73
- Outcome
- DNA methylation-based age and telomere length (TL)
Methodological detailsmultiple-events case-control, embedded in a prospective birth cohort (Santiago Longitudinal Study), Conducted April 5, 2022, to June 29, 2023
- Multiple-events case-control
- Embedded in a prospective birth cohort (Santiago Longitudinal Study)
- Conducted April 5, 2022, to June 29, 2023
Secondary outcomes
| Outcome | Cohen f (95% CI) | P value |
|---|---|---|
| hs-CRP · adulthoodBetween Group 1 and Group 2 vs Group 3 | 0.57 (0.44–0.70) | P < 0.001 |
| IL-6 (log) · adulthoodBetween Group 1 and Group 2 vs Group 3 | 0.53 (0.41–0.62) | P < 0.001 |
- hs-CRP: association of long-term obesity with marker; large effect size
- IL-6 (log): association of long-term obesity with marker; large effect size
hs-CRP · adulthood
- Long-term obesity associated with adulthood hs-CRP expression
IL-6 (log) · adulthood
- Long-term obesity associated with adulthood IL-6 expression
FGF-21, IGF-1, IGF-2, apelin and irisin · adulthood
- Long-term obesity associated with adulthood expression of FGF-21, IGF-1, IGF-2, apelin and irisin; large effect size (Cohen f)
Original publication
Long-Term Obesity and Biological Aging in Young Adults. JAMA Netw Open. Published 1 July 2025. doi:10.
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