The Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging (Jun 2024)

Dietary diversity score and the acceleration of biological aging: a population-based study of 88,039 participants

  • Ye Liu,
  • Meijuan Kang,
  • Wenming Wei,
  • Jingni Hui,
  • Yifan Gou,
  • Chen Liu,
  • Ruixue Zhou,
  • Bingyi Wang,
  • Panxing Shi,
  • Huan Liu,
  • Bolun Cheng,
  • Yumeng Jia,
  • Yan Wen,
  • Feng Zhang

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 28, no. 6
p. 100271

Abstract

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Objectives: Our study aimed to investigate the association of dietary diversity score (DDS), as reflected by five dietary categories, with biological age acceleration. Design: A cross-sectional study. Setting and participants: This study included 88,039 individuals from the UK Biobank. Methods: Biological age (BA) was assessed using Klemerae-Doubal (KDM) and PhenoAge methods. The difference between BA and chronological age represents the age acceleration (AgeAccel), termed as “KDMAccel” and “PhenoAgeAccel”. AgeAccel > 0 indicates faster aging. Generalized linear regression models were performed to assess the associations of DDS with AgeAccel. Similar analyses were performed for the five dietary categories. Results: After adjusting for multiple variables, DDS was inversely associated with KDMAccel (βHigh vs Low = −0.403, 95%CI: −0.492 to −0.314, P < 0.001) and PhenoAgeAccel (βHigh vs Low = −0.545, 95%CI: −0.641 to −0.450, P < 0.001). Each 1-point increment in the DDS was associated with a 4.4% lower risk of KDMAccel and a 5.6% lower risk of PhenoAgeAccel. The restricted cubic spline plots demonstrated a non-linear dose-response association between DDS and the risk of AgeAccel. The consumption of grains (βKDMAccel = −0.252, βPhenoAgeAccel = −0.197), vegetables (βKDMAccel = −0.044, βPhenoAgeAccel = −0.077) and fruits (βKDMAccel = −0.179, βPhenoAgeAccel = −0.219) was inversely associated with the two AgeAccel, while meat and protein alternatives (βKDMAccel = 0.091, βPhenoAgeAccel = 0.054) had a positive association (All P < 0.001). Stratified analysis revealed stronger accelerated aging effects in males, smokers, and drinkers. A strengthening trend in the association between DDS and AgeAccel as TDI quartiles increased was noted. Conclusions: This study suggested that food consumption plays a role in aging process, and adherence to a higher diversity dietary is associated with the slowing down of the aging process.

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