Association between mental work and biological aging: the mediating role of visceral adiposity index

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between mental work, work intensity, and accelerated biological aging, focusing on the mediating role of the Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, data were collected from the Kailuan physical activity cohorts in the Asia-Pacific region. Biological aging was assessed using PhenoAge and Klemera-Doubal method age (KDMAge) acceleration. Multivariable linear regression models examined the link between mental work and biological aging, while mediation analysis assessed the role of VAI. RESULTS: Among 3,933 participants (mean age 56.4 years; 55.6% male), mental workers showed greater biological age (BA) acceleration: KDMAge acceleration increased by 1.52 years (p for trend = .04) and PhenoAge by 1.46 years (p for trend < .001) compared to manual workers, after adjusting for age and sex. In mental workers, high labor intensity was associated with greater BA acceleration: KDMAge β = 0.40, 95% CI [0.10-0.65]; PhenoAge β = 0.51, 95% CI [0.10-1.38]. In manual workers, high labor intensity also correlated with increased BA acceleration: KDMAge β = 1.53, 95% CI [0.91-2.12]; PhenoAge β = 1.32, 95% CI [0.37-2.26]. Mediation analysis showed that VAI mediated 9.8% of the mental work-PhenoAge relationship and 20.9% of the KDMAge relationship. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Mental work is associated with accelerated biological aging. These results highlight the importance of interventions targeting work intensity and metabolic health to reduce age-related disease burdens.