Accelerated DNA Methylation Aging in U.S. Military Veterans: Results From the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify how a broad range of sociodemographic, military, health, and psychosocial factors relate to accelerated DNA methylation aging (Δ age ) in a large, contemporary, nationally representative sample of male U.S. veterans. Methods: Data were analyzed from a sample of U.S. male European-American veterans who participated in the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study (N = 1,135). Results: Psychosocial factors of lifetime trauma burden, child sexual trauma, and negative beliefs about aging were independently associated with Δ age . Three health variables—diabetes, hypertension, and body mass index—emerged as additional correlates of Δ age . Conclusion: Results of the study build on prior work demonstrating associations between accelerated DNA methylation aging and traumatic stress, highlighting a role for child sexual abuse in particular. They further underscore the importance of targeting negative beliefs about aging, which are modifiable, in prevention efforts designed to forestall accelerated DNA methylation aging.