Mason, CaitlinRisques, Rosa-AnaXiao, LirenDuggan, Catherine R.Imayama, IkuyoCampbell, Kristin L.Kong, AngelaFoster-Schubert, Karen E.Wang, CYAlfano, Catherine M.Blackburn, George L.Rabinovitch, Peter S.McTiernan, Anne2014-07-072013Mason, C., R. Risques, L. Xiao, C. R. Duggan, I. Imayama, K. L. Campbell, A. Kong, et al. 2013. “Independent and Combined Effects of Dietary Weight Loss and Exercise on Leukocyte Telomere Length in Postmenopausal Women.” Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.) 21 (12): 10.1002/oby.20509. doi:10.1002/oby.20509. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/oby.20509.1930-7381http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:12406793Objective: Investigate the effects of 12 months of dietary weight loss and/or aerobic exercise on leukocyte telomere length in postmenopausal women. Design and Methods 439 overweight or obese women (50–75 y) were randomized to: i) dietary weight loss (N=118); ii) aerobic exercise (N=117), iii) diet + exercise (N=117), or iv) control (N=87). The diet intervention was a group-based program with a 10% weight loss goal. The exercise intervention was 45 mins/day, 5 days/week of moderate-to-vigorous aerobic activity. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline and 12 months. DNA was extracted from isolated leukocytes and telomere length was measured by quantitative-polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Mean changes were compared between groups (intent-to-treat) using generalized estimating equations. Results: Baseline telomere length was inversely associated with age (r=−0.12 p<0.01) and positively associated with maximal oxygen uptake (r=0.11, p=0.03), but not with BMI or %body fat. Change in telomere length was inversely correlated with baseline telomere length (r=−0.47, p<0.0001). No significant difference in leukocyte telomere length was detected in any intervention group compared to controls, nor was the magnitude of weight loss associated with telomere length at 12 months. Conclusions: Twelve-months of dietary weight loss and exercise did not change telomere length in postmenopausal women.en-UScaloric restrictionphysical activitylifestyleageingchromosomesJournal Article2014-07-0710.1002/oby.20509