The Impact of Weight Loss Secondary to Bariatric Surgery on Telomere Biology: A Narrative Review

The global escalation in chronic obesity and its associated comorbidities has emerged as a substantial public health and economic challenge. This crisis is further compounded by the genomic impact of obesity on telomere length (TL), primarily driven by unchecked oxidative stress. As a result, telomeres shorten, leading to the onset of age-related disorders. In response, effective therapeutic interventions, notably bariatric surgery (BS), have demonstrated significant improvements in patient outcomes by reducing morbidity and mortality rates. Contemporary research has expanded on these benefits, investigating the impact of weight reduction on TL. While the majority of studies support the attenuation of telomeric attrition, ongoing debates surrounding methodological limitations and conflicting results underscore the need for further investigation. This narrative review outlines the current research on the mechanisms that influence telomeres, with a focus on the methodologies used to measure TL. Furthermore, we will examine the most recent findings on the effects of weight loss resulting from surgical intervention on telomere biology. This analysis aims to address specific controversies surrounding this topic and provide evidence-based recommendations valuable to the healthcare sector for mitigating obesity, as well as educating patients about the molecular-level effects of weight reduction resulting from surgical procedures, to enable informed consent.