Invited Commentary: Epigenetic Clocks and Obesity-Towards the Next Frontier Using Integrative Approaches and Early-Life Models

Why people of the same age show differences in age-related functional decline and whether biological aging can be slowed down through lifestyle changes and therapeutics are active research topics. Molecular tools that predict biological age based on DNA methylation markers, known as epigenetic clocks, are facilitating these efforts. In this issue, Kresovich et al. (Am J Epidemiol. 2021;190(6):984-993) investigated a cohort of non-Hispanic White women, demonstrating positive relationships between adiposity measures and the ticking rate of epigenetic clocks in blood. This commentary emphasizes that integrating molecular and genetic epidemiology approaches is crucial to dissecting the complex relationship between obesity and epigenetic aging. The early-life period is explored as a unique opportunity to gain novel insights into links between developmental processes and aging in later life. Last, the landscape of the next frontier in aging research is described in light of the imperative for transdisciplinary approaches to outline a shared vision and public health implementation dilemmas.

Automated summary

Research has shown a positive relationship between measures of adiposity and epigenetic clocks in non-Hispanic White women, highlighting the need for further study on the complex relationship between obesity and epigenetic aging. The early-life period is considered a unique opportunity to explore links between developmental processes and aging in later life.