Accelerated Biological Aging Among Male U.S. Veterans: A National Survey Analysis

Introduction: Biomarkers of cellular aging (e.g., telomere length) reflect biological aging and are influenced by environmental and social factors. Veterans often face health disparities, and understanding telomere dynamics could inform personalized approaches to improve their health outcomes. Methods: Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, we analyzed telomere length among 929 U.S. male veterans aged 20-84 years, examining associations with socioeconomic status, health conditions, and lifestyle factors through survey-weighted linear regression models. Results: Veterans exhibited significantly shorter telomeres compared to civilians, with an average reduction of approximately 229.61 base pairs (bp) (p < .0001). Factors such as poverty, obesity, and COPD were independently associated with greater telomere shortening; for example, veterans living below the poverty line had about 261 bp less telomere length, and those with COPD showed a reduction of approximately 182 bp. Obese veterans had about 152 bp shorter telomeres, and the combination of poverty and obesity resulted in a cumulative shortening of approximately 424 bp, indicating a synergistic effect on cellular aging. These associations persisted after adjusting for age and other confounders, emphasizing the impact of socioeconomic and health-related factors on biological aging among veterans. Conclusion: These findings are associated with shorter telomeres and may inform risk stratification and targeted prevention.