Body composition, not morphological masculinity, linked to biological aging markers in middle-aged men
In 176 healthy middle-aged men, body composition and adiposity were associated with biological aging markers, while morphological masculinity was not linked to accelerated biological aging. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
The study included 176 healthy men with a mean age of 53.8 years, and biological age was assessed using blood markers including inflammatory markers, hormones and soluble α-klotho. [1]
In unadjusted analyses, greater fat-free mass was associated with lower inflammatory marker levels and higher growth hormone concentrations, but these associations disappeared after adjustment for adiposity. [1]
The findings do not support the hypothesis that greater morphological masculinization reflecting higher androgen exposure is associated with accelerated biological aging; body composition and adiposity appear more prominent. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Observational study (abstract).
- Population / context
- 176 healthy men with a mean age of 53.8 years.
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- October 6, 2026
Biological age markers in 176 middle-aged men
The study included 176 healthy men with a mean age of 53.8 years. Biological age was assessed using blood markers: high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, soluble α-klotho, growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor-1, dehydroepiandrosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone. The authors note that the relationship between androgens and biological age remains unclear, with some evidence suggesting rather beneficial effects of testosterone in aging men.
Supporting source [1]
Fat-free mass and waist-to-chest ratio before adjustment
Morphological masculinity was evaluated using androgen-dependent traits: facial width-to-height ratio, shoulder-to-hip ratio, waist-to-hip ratio, fat-free mass, second-to-fourth digit ratio, handgrip strength and torso strength. In unadjusted analyses, greater fat-free mass was associated with lower inflammatory marker levels and higher growth hormone concentrations, while a higher waist-to-chest ratio was associated with higher inflammation. These associations disappeared after adjustment for adiposity. Analyses controlled for socioeconomic status, lifestyle, body adiposity, height and cortisol levels.
Supporting source [1]
No support for masculinity–aging link; adiposity matters
The findings do not support the hypothesis that greater morphological masculinization reflecting higher androgen exposure is associated with accelerated biological aging. Instead, body composition and adiposity appear to play a more prominent role. The authors describe the relationship between testosterone and biological age as complex and possibly reflecting both beneficial and context-dependent effects. This is an abstract; the full text was not reviewed, and the cross-sectional design cannot establish cause and effect.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
Abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. The cross-sectional design cannot establish cause and effect, and the biological age markers are blood-based measures rather than a validated clock.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Żelaźniewicz A, Wojtowicz P, Nowak-Kornicka J, Pawłowski B. · europepmc.org · October 6, 2026