Social isolation, loneliness and accelerated biological aging in UK Biobank
In 309,746 UK Biobank participants followed a median 14.4 years, self-reported social isolation and loneliness were associated with accelerated biological aging, and biological age acceleration partly mediated higher all-cause mortality risk. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
The study analyzed 309,746 UK Biobank participants (mean age 56.38 years, 54% female) over a median follow-up of 14.4 years, with social isolation and loneliness measured by self-reported questionnaires. [1]
Social isolation and loneliness were linked to biological age acceleration, and in two-sample Mendelian randomization loneliness was linked to BAA while regular club or gym attendance and religious involvement mitigated aging risk. [1]
Each unit increment in social isolation and loneliness scores was associated with a 13.9% and 8.9% increase in all-cause mortality risk, respectively, and BAA partially mediated these associations. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Observational cohort study with two-sample Mendelian randomization and mediation analysis (abstract).
- Population / context
- 309,746 UK Biobank participants, mean age 56.38 years, 54% female.
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- August 27, 2026
UK Biobank cohort of 309,746 adults
The study analyzed data from 309,746 UK Biobank participants with a mean age of 56.38 years (SD 8.08); 54% were female. Social isolation and loneliness were measured with self-reported questionnaires. The median follow-up was 14.4 years. The authors note that effects of these factors on biological age acceleration (BAA) had been understudied.
Supporting source [1]
Isolation, loneliness linked to biological age acceleration
Social isolation (b = 0.17; 95% CI 0.14–0.19) and loneliness (b = 0.15; 95% CI 0.12–0.18) were linked to BAA, with a cumulative effect. No interaction was found between these factors and genetic susceptibility to BAA, but a superimposed effect was evident. In two-sample Mendelian randomization, loneliness was linked to BAA (b = 3.832; 95% CI 0.247–7.417), while regular club or gym attendance (b = −4.145; 95% CI −7.622 to −0.667) and religious involvement (b = −3.244; 95% CI −5.577 to −0.913) mitigated aging risk.
Supporting source [1]
Mortality risk and partial mediation by BAA
Each unit increment in social isolation and loneliness scores was associated with a 13.9% and 8.9% increase in all-cause mortality risk, respectively. Log-rank tests assessed the association with mortality, and mediation analysis examined whether BAA mediated these associations; BAA partially mediated them. These are associations from an observational cohort and genetic analyses, not proof that isolation or loneliness cause biological aging or death.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
Abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. This is an observational cohort with genetic analyses, so the reported links are associations, not proof of causation. Details of BAA measurement and questionnaire scoring are not given in the abstract.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Mao R, Yuan J, Zhang T, Wang F, Zhong Y, Yuan H, Yang F, Meng X. · europepmc.org · August 27, 2026