Childhood adversity and accelerated biological aging in middle-aged and older Chinese adults
In a CHARLS cohort of 8,327 Chinese adults aged 45 and older, each additional type of adverse childhood experience was associated with 5% higher odds of accelerated biological aging; this is an association, not proof of cause. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
The analysis included 8,327 CHARLS participants aged 45 and older from the 2011 baseline, with biological age estimated from 2011 biomarkers and ACE information from a 2014 questionnaire. [1]
Each additional ACE type was associated with 5% higher odds of accelerated aging, and this remained after adjustment for all confounders. [1]
People with four or more ACE types had higher odds of accelerated aging, with a reported dose-response trend. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Observational cohort analysis using CHARLS survey data (abstract).
- Population / context
- Middle-aged and older Chinese adults aged 45 years and older in the CHARLS 2011 baseline survey.
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- August 1, 2026
CHARLS cohort of 8,327 adults aged 45 and older
The study used data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey (CHARLS). It included 8,327 participants aged 45 years and older from the 2011 baseline survey. Accelerated aging was defined using biological age estimated from 2011 biomarker data. Information on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) came from the 2014 life history questionnaire. The authors describe the aim as examining the association between ACEs and accelerated aging, with implications for healthy aging interventions.
Supporting source [1]
Each additional ACE type linked to 5% higher odds
Three multivariable logistic regression models assessed the association, and restricted cubic spline analysis tested possible non-linear patterns. Each additional ACE type was associated with a 5% increased odds of accelerated aging (odds ratio 1.05, 95% confidence interval 1.02–1.08). After adjustment for all confounders, the association remained (odds ratio 1.05, 95% confidence interval 1.01–1.08). People with four or more ACE types had higher odds of accelerated aging (odds ratio 1.20, 95% confidence interval 1.01–1.44), with a reported dose-response trend (P for trend 0.05). Exploratory subgroup analyses suggested no clear evidence of effect modification.
Supporting source [1]
Cumulative association, not a causal finding
The authors conclude that among middle-aged and older people in China, adverse childhood experiences are positively associated with accelerated aging, showing a cumulative effect. They suggest that stronger community support, social services and policy measures may help mitigate long-term adverse effects of ACEs on healthy aging. Because this is an observational cohort analysis, the results describe an association and do not establish that ACEs cause accelerated aging. The abstract does not report follow-up duration or detailed subgroup results.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
Abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. This is an observational cohort analysis, so the reported associations do not establish causation. Follow-up duration and detailed subgroup results are not reported in the abstract.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Ye D, Zheng M, Ye S. · europepmc.org · August 1, 2026