Body Mass Index and Decline of Cognitive Function

Abstract

BackgroundThe association between body mass index (BMI) and cognitive function is a public health issue. This study investigated the relationship between obesity and cognitive impairment which was assessed by the Korean version of the Mini-mental state examination (K-MMSE) among mid- and old-aged people in South Korea.MethodsA cohort of 5,125 adults, age 45 or older with normal cognitive function (K-MMSE≥24) at baseline (2006), was derived from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA) 2006~2012. The association between baseline BMI and risk of cognitive impairment was assessed using multiple logistic regression models. We also assessed baseline BMI and change of cognitive function over the 6-year follow-up using multiple linear regressions.ResultsDuring the follow-up, 358 cases of severe cognitive impairment were identified. Those with baseline BMI≥25 kg/m2 than normal-weight (18.5≤BMI<23 kg/m2) were marginally less likely to experience the development of severe cognitive impairment (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.52 to 1.03; Ptrend = 0.03). This relationship was stronger among female (aOR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.40 to 1.00; Ptrend = 0.01) and participants with low-normal K-MMSE score (MMSE: 24–26) at baseline (aOR = 0.59, 95% CI = 0.35 to 0.98; Ptrend<0.01). In addition, a slower decline of cognitive function was observed in obese individuals than those with normal weight, especially among women and those with low-normal K-MMSE score at baseline.ConclusionIn this nationally representative study, we found that obesity was associated with lower risk of cognitive decline among mid- and old-age population.

Diabetes and anxiety adversely affect cognition in multiple sclerosis

“…This finding was surprising given reported associations between obesity and greater disability in MS (Tettey et al, 2017). However, our findings are consistent with some recent studies of general population samples which have suggested that elevated BMI in mid to late life is associated with a lower risk of cognitive impairment (Suemoto et al, 2015;Kim et al, 2016). For example, in the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging, adults aged 45 years and older with a baseline BMI ≥25 were 27% less likely to develop severe cognitive impairment than those of normal weight.…”

“…For example, in the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging, adults aged 45 years and older with a baseline BMI ≥25 were 27% less likely to develop severe cognitive impairment than those of normal weight. (Kim et al, 2016) Those findings were particularly evident among women and individuals with lower cognitive function at baseline. In that study, being underweight also conferred an increased risk of cognitive impairment, a finding similar to that of a recent American study.…”

Relationships between socio‐clinico‐demographic factors and global cognitive function in the oldest old living in the Tokyo Metropolitan area: Reanalysis of the Tokyo Oldest Old Survey on Total Health (TOOTH)

“…In contrast, we found that neither weight nor BMI was associated with their cognitive decline in the oldest‐old after 3‐year follow‐up. However, in the previous studies, the relationship between BMI at baseline and cognitive changes following several years still remains inconclusive in the older adults , . Thus, the influence of weight or BMI on cognitive functioning may be dependent on the background and condition of the population.…”

Plasma fatty acid profile is related to cognitive function in obese Chinese populations (35–64 years): A cross‐sectional study

“…Being overweight or obese is a key risk factor for a variety of chronic disorders, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, dyslipidemia (Anari, Amani, Latifi, Veissi, & Shahbazian, 2017;Mathieu, Lemieux, & Despres, 2010;Sokolova et al, 2017) and neurodegenerative diseases (Ashrafian, Harling, Darzi, & Athanasiou, 2013;Pugazhenthi, Qin, & Reddy, 2017). Recent studies have shown that across the whole spectrum of lifespan, cognitive performance is significantly lower in obese populations than in people with normal weight, and it is negatively correlated with body mass index (BMI;Benito-Leon, Mitchell, Hernandez-Gallego, & Bermejo-Pareja, 2013;Kim, Kim, & Park, 2016;Suemoto, Gilsanz, Mayeda, & Glymour, 2015). Obesity is generally associated with cognitive impairments independent of other socioeconomic or health-related factors (Beilharz, Maniam, & Morris, 2015).…”