Association between the anthropometric measurements and dietary habits on telomere shortening in healthy older adults: A-cross-sectional study

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of anthropometric measurements and dietary habits on telomere length in healthy older residents in rural and urban areas. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. The study population included 81 healthy older individuals aged >= 80 years. A quantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to determine dietary habits. Anthropometric measurements were taken by researchers. The telomere length of individuals was determined from leukocytes using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results: Urban women had longer telomeres than rural women (P < 0.05). Rural men had significantly higher hip circumference, middle-upper arm circumference and fat-free mass than urban men (P < 0.05). It was shown that while fresh vegetable consumption was higher in rural areas, carbonated drink consumption was higher in urban areas (P < 0.05). In women, homemade bread and sugar consumption were higher in rural areas, and honey consumption was higher in urban (P < 0.05). Red meat, milk-based dessert and pastry consumption explain telomere shortening by 22.5%, 24.8% and 17.9%, respectively. In addition, the model based on anthropometric measurements also contributes to explaining telomere shortening by 42.9%. Conclusion: Red meat, milk-based dessert and pastry consumption, and waist circumference, hip circumference, waist-to-hip ratio and waist-to-height ratio are associated with telomere length. Longer telomeres are associated with a healthy, balanced, adequate diet and maintaining a healthy body weight/proportion, and they are crucial for achieving healthy aging.