Measurement matters: higher waist-to-hip ratio but not body mass index is associated with deficits in executive functions and episodic memory.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The current study aimed to reconcile the inconsistent findings between obesity, executive functions, and episodic memory by addressing major limitations of previous studies, including overreliance on body mass index (BMI), small sample sizes, and failure to control for confounds.

Methods

Participants consisted of 3,712 midlife adults from the Cognitive Project of the National Survey of Midlife Development. Executive functions and episodic memory were measured by a battery of cognitive function tests.

Results

We found that higher waist-to-hip ratio was associated with deficits in both executive functions and episodic memory, above and beyond the influence of demographics, comorbid health issues, health behaviors, personality traits, and self-perceived obesit

SUBMITTER: Hartanto A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6130234 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature