Dataset Information

Body Mass Index and Cognition: Associations Across  Mid- to Late Life and Gender Differences.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Higher mid-life body mass index (BMI) is associated with lower late-life cognition. Associations between later-life BMI and cognition are less consistent; evidence suggests reverse causation may play a role. We aimed to characterize associations between BMI and cognition across a wide age range during mid- to late life (55-85 years) and examine whether associations vary by gender.

Methods

We used data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) (N = 39,153) to examine the association between BMI and 3 cognitive outcomes: cognitive level, cognitive decline, and cognitive impairment. We used a series of linear regression, mixed effects regression, and logistic regression models, adjusting for potential confounders.

Results

Higher BMI before age 65 (midlife) was associated with lower cognitive performance, faster rates of cognitive decline, and higher odds of cognitive impairment in late life. Averaging across analyses assessing associations between BMI measured before age 60 and late-life cognition, a 5-unit higher level of BMI was associated with a 0.26 point lower cognitive score. Beyond age 65, associations flipped, and higher BMI was associated with better late-life cognitive outcomes. Associations in both directions were stronger in women. Excluding those with BMI loss attenuated findings among women in older ages, supporting the reverse causation hypothesis.

Conclusions

In this sample, age 65 represented a critical turning point between mid- and late life for the association between BMI and cognition, which has important implications for recruitment strategies for studies focused on risk factors for late-life cognitive outcomes. Evidence of gender differences raises the need to further investigate plausible mechanisms.

SUBMITTER: Crane BM

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10235201 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Body Mass Index and Cognition: Associations Across  Mid- to Late Life and Gender Differences.

Crane Breanna M BM Nichols Emma E Carlson Michelle C MC Deal Jennifer A JA Gross Alden L AL

The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences 20230601 6

<h4>Background</h4>Higher mid-life body mass index (BMI) is associated with lower late-life cognition. Associations between later-life BMI and cognition are less consistent; evidence suggests reverse causation may play a role. We aimed to characterize associations between BMI and cognition across a wide age range during mid- to late life (55-85 years) and examine whether associations vary by gender.<h4>Methods</h4>We used data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) (N = 39,153) to examine th ...[more]

PMID: 36638277

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Dataset Information

Body Mass Index and Cognition: Associations Across  Mid- to Late Life and Gender Differences.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Body Mass Index and Cognition: Associations Across  Mid- to Late Life and Gender Differences.

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Dataset Information

Body Mass Index and Cognition: Associations Across Mid- to Late Life and Gender Differences.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Body Mass Index and Cognition: Associations Across Mid- to Late Life and Gender Differences.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets

Body Mass Index and Cognition: Associations Across  Mid- to Late Life and Gender Differences.

Body Mass Index and Cognition: Associations Across  Mid- to Late Life and Gender Differences.