OBJECTIVE: Investigate the effects of 12 months of dietary weight loss and/or aerobic exercise on leukocyte telomere length in postmenopausal women. DESIGN AND METHODS: Four hundred and thirty nine overweight or obese women (50 to 75 years) 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 min/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.

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