Obesity Is Less Frequently Associated with Cognitive Impairment in Elderly Individuals: A Cross-Sectional Study in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Abstract

Obesity is one of the factors associated with cognitive impairment. However, obesity may differently affect cognitive function in different age groups, and scarce data are available from low- and middle-income countries. This cross-sectional study aimed to identify the association between obesity and cognitive impairment among 143 elderly individuals in Yogyakarta. We recorded the sociodemographic factors and some comorbidities, also measured the body mass index as a parameter of obesity, cognitive function using Montreal Cognitive Assessment—Indonesia, mood condition and depression status using geriatric depression scale-short form, as well as the daily life function using Activity of Daily Living and Instrumental Activity of Daily Living. After adjustment for the sociodemographic and comorbidities, we found that subjects with older age were more likely to have cognitive impairment (odds ratio [OR] 3.544, 95%CI: 1.36–9.22, p < 0.01) and compared with elderly individuals with normal weight, obese elderly individuals were 40% less likely to have cognitive impairment (OR 0.604, 95%CI: 0.39–0.95, p < 0.05). This study suggests that obesity in elderly individuals is less frequently associated with cognitive impairment. These findings support the reverse causation mechanism related to body mass index (BMI) and cognitive impairment in low/middle-income countries.

Higher level of acute serum VEGF and larger infarct volume are more frequently associated with post-stroke cognitive impairment

“…MoCA-INA is a 30-point cognitive screening tool which has been validated for Indonesia population. It has been widely accepted and commonly used in the clinical and community setting in Indonesia [25,26]. The cut-off point to be assessed as cognitively impaired is <26 [27].…”

Sex Differences in the Association Between Obesity and Cognitive Impairment in a Low-Income Elderly Population in Rural China: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study

“…However, the association between obesity and cognitive impairment in the elderly is unclear. Several studies have demonstrated that general obesity as classified using body mass index (BMI) was associated with a decreased risk of cognitive impairment in the elderly, while abdominal obesity was harmful to cognitive function (13)(14)(15). In contrast, other studies have reported that both general and abdominal obesity were associated with an increased risk of cognitive dysfunction in old age (16,17).…”

Cognitive Inhibition and Working Memory in Obese and Normal Women

“…Executive performance plays a key role in regulating behavior, emotion, thought, and, consequently, self-control [13][14]. A significant correlation between high body mass and low cognitive function has been reported, indicating that higher body mass is associated with lower cognitive function [15][16][17]. Cognitive performance is a subset of executive performance that refers to a set of skills and processes related to self-management and the use of one's own cognitive resources to achieve a goal (performing actions to achieve a goal) [16].…”

“…A significant correlation between high body mass and low cognitive function has been reported, indicating that higher body mass is associated with lower cognitive function [15][16][17]. Cognitive performance is a subset of executive performance that refers to a set of skills and processes related to self-management and the use of one's own cognitive resources to achieve a goal (performing actions to achieve a goal) [16]. Recent studies on obese people also show dysfunctional performance characteristics in them [16][17][18].…”

“…Cognitive performance is a subset of executive performance that refers to a set of skills and processes related to self-management and the use of one's own cognitive resources to achieve a goal (performing actions to achieve a goal) [16]. Recent studies on obese people also show dysfunctional performance characteristics in them [16][17][18]. Neuroimaging studies have shown functional changes in frontal lobes, anterior scissors, and thalamus/hippocampus of obese older individuals [19].…”