We used the mouse model p21<sup>+/Tert</sup> expressing TERT from the Cdkn1a locus to investigate whether counteracting telomere shortening by telomerase (TERT) specifically in pre-senescent cells could improve obesity-induced metabolic disorders.<h4>Results</h4>Our study demonstrates that conditional expression of TERT reduces insulin-resistance and glucose intolerance associated with obesity. The gene discussed is TERT; the disease is obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.