Effects of Cardiorespiratory Fitness on Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors and Telomere Length by Age and Obesity

Shorter Telomeres and Faster Telomere Attrition in Individuals With Five Syndromic Forms of Intellectual Disability: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

People with intellectual disability suffer complex challenges due to adaptive functioning limitations, high rates of chronic diseases and shortened lifespans compared with the general population. Telomere shortening is a hallmark of ageing, and short telomeres are linked to neurological disorders. The main objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to identify any differences in telomere length and the rate of telomere attrition in leukocytes and fibroblasts from people with intellectual disability and controls.

METHODS

PubMed, Scopus and ScienceDirect were searched. Articles that compared telomere length in individuals with intellectual disability to apparently healthy age-matched controls were included. Risk of bias was assessed using the AXIS tool and data were analysed using CMA.

RESULTS

Fifteen studies comprised of 17 comparisons provided data and were included in meta-analyses. Compared with healthy controls (N = 481), people with intellectual disability (N = 366) from a known genetic syndrome (Cri du chat, Down, Hoyeraal-Hreidarsson, Williams or Nicolaides-Baraitser) possessed shorter leukocyte telomeres (SMD: -0.853 [95% CI: -1.622 to -0.084], p = 0.03). Similarly, relative to controls (N = 16), people with syndromic intellectual disability (N = 21) possessed shorter fibroblast telomeres (-1.389 [-2.179 to -0.599], p = 0.001). Furthermore, people with syndromic forms of intellectual disability also demonstrated a faster rate (2.09-fold) of telomere shortening.

CONCLUSIONS

Consistent with epidemiological findings on mortality and morbidity risk, people with syndromic intellectual disability appear to undergo a faster rate of biological ageing compared to the general population. These findings emphasise the need for healthy ageing lifestyle (i.e., exercise and stress management) and therapeutic interventions for people with syndromic intellectual disability.

The association of telomere length with body mass index and immunological factors differs according to physical activity practice among children and adolescents

BACKGROUND

This study aims to verify the relationship between screen and sleep time, body mass index (BMI) and immunological factors with telomere length according to leisure-time physical activity (PA) in children and adolescents.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study involving a sample of 476 schoolchildren of both sexes, aged seven to 17 years, from a community in southern Brazil. Behavioral variables (PA, sleep time, and screen time) were self-reported using a questionnaire. PA was classified as inactive and any PA (doing some physical activity). The associations of screen time, sleep time, BMI, and immunologic factors with telomere length were tested using multiple linear regression models, with the sample divided according to the schoolchildren's leisure-time physical activity practices.

RESULTS

An inverse association between BMI and telomere length (β: -0.239; 95% CI: -0.468; -0.010) and a direct association of leukocytes (β: 0.151; 95% CI: 0.029; 0.278) and neutrophils (β: 0.131; 95% CI: 0.008; 0.254) with telomeres were found in the inactive students. No association was found between screen time and sleep time and telomeres. No association was found among students who engaged in any PA.

CONCLUSION

The associations between telomeres, BMI, and immunologic factors were found only in inactive students. These results suggest that the association between BMI and immunological factors and telomere length may be influenced by physical activity.

Obesity and Cancer Rehabilitation for Functional Recovery and Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Comprehensive Review

Obesity is a global health challenge with increasing prevalence, and its intricate relationship with cancer has become a critical concern in cancer care. As a result, understanding the multifactorial connections between obesity and breast cancer is imperative for risk stratification, tailored screening, and rehabilitation treatment planning to address long-term survivorship issues. The review follows the SANRA quality criteria and includes an extensive literature search conducted in PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, and Scopus. The biological basis linking obesity and cancer involves complex interactions in adipose tissue and the tumor microenvironment. Various mechanisms, such as hormonal alterations, chronic inflammation, immune system modulation, and mitochondrial dysfunction, contribute to cancer development. The review underlines the importance of comprehensive oncologic rehabilitation, including physical, psychological, and nutritional aspects. Cancer rehabilitation plays a crucial role in managing obesity-related symptoms, offering interventions for physical impairments, pain management, and lymphatic disorders, and improving both physical and psychological well-being. Personalized and technology-driven approaches hold promise for optimizing rehabilitation effectiveness and improving long-term outcomes for obese cancer patients. The comprehensive insights provided in this review contribute to the evolving landscape of cancer care, emphasizing the importance of tailored rehabilitation in optimizing the well-being of obese cancer patients.