What the study found
Higher structural disadvantage during adolescence was associated with faster biological aging markers in early midlife, especially for GrimAge2, DunedinPACE, and CRP-related DNA methylation.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that early-life contexts may be important for accelerated epigenetic aging and C-reactive protein (CRP, a marker related to inflammation) DNA methylation. The findings, they say, may help explain when disparities in aging-related diseases emerge.
What the researchers tested
The study used data from non-Hispanic Black and White participants in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, a US cohort followed for over 20 years. Adolescent structural disadvantage was measured with five county-level economic, education, and segregation indicators from the 1990 US Census, and blood samples collected in early midlife were analyzed for DNA methylation outcomes.
What worked and what didn't
In 3,788 participants, higher adolescent structural disadvantage was associated with accelerated epigenetic aging on GrimAge2 and DunedinPACE, and with greater CRP-related DNA methylation, after adjustment for self-reported race and family socioeconomic status. The association was not reported for PhenoAge or tumor necrosis factor-α-related DNA methylation in the abstract. An interaction model suggested different patterns by race: Black respondents had faster aging and greater CRP-related DNA methylation overall, but the disadvantage association was slightly negative for Black respondents and positive for White respondents.
What to keep in mind
The abstract does not describe limitations in detail. The study covers one US cohort and early midlife blood measures, so the summary here is limited to the outcomes and groups described in the abstract.
Key points
- Adolescent structural disadvantage was linked to faster epigenetic aging in early midlife.
- The strongest reported associations were for GrimAge2, DunedinPACE, and CRP-related DNA methylation.
- The study analyzed 3,788 non-Hispanic Black and White participants from Add Health.
- Black respondents showed faster aging overall, but the disadvantage association differed by race in the interaction model.
- The abstract does not provide detailed limitations.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Adolescent structural disadvantage linked to faster biological aging
- Image credit:
- Photo by Tara Winstead on Pexels
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