Triangulating Evidence from Observational and Mendelian Randomization Studies of Leisure Screen Time for Epigenetic...

Sedentary behavior is associated with premature aging and mortality; however, its relationship with epigenetic age acceleration and the pathways mediating this association remain unclear. We applied a triangulation approach integrating observational and Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses to investigate these associations and identify potential mediators.

First, observational analyses were conducted using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999-2002). Weighted multivariable linear regression was used to examine associations between leisure screen time (a proxy for sedentary behavior) and epigenetic age acceleration, assessed using four epigenetic clocks (HorvathAge, HannumAge, PhenoAge, GrimAge). Second, two-sample MR was performed using genetic instruments for leisure screen time and epigenetic age acceleration in individuals of European descent (N=34,170 to 526,725). Two-step MR was then applied to evaluate the mediating roles of 21 modifiable traits, including adiposity, inflammation, lipids, and diseases, in these associations.

In observational analyses (N=2,397; mean age, 63.2 years; 54.1% female), leisure screen time ≥5 h/day (1 h/day as reference) was suggestively associated with a 1.66-year GrimAge acceleration (95% CI, 0.40 to 2.92; P=0.02) after Bonferroni correction, with an inflection point at 4 h/day; no associations were observed for the other three clocks. MR corroborated these findings, demonstrating a significant association that each additional 1.9 h/day of leisure screen time was causally associated with a 0.62-year GrimAge acceleration (95% CI, 0.35 to 0.89; P=5.2×10 -6). Two-step MR identified genetically determined body mass index, C-reactive protein, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, and heart failure as mediators, accounting for 3.2% to 11.5% of the observed association.

These findings underscore the importance of reducing leisure screen time and inform intervention strategies for mitigating epigenetic aging disparities.