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The Association Between Weight Status, Weight History, Physical Activity, and Cognitive Task Performance
Meghan K Edwards1, Scott J Dankel2, Jeremy P Loenneke2
1Department of Health, Exercise Science and Recreation Management, Physical Activity Epidemiology Laboratory, Exercise Psychology Laboratory, The University of Mississippi, 229 Turner Center, University, MS, 38677, USA.
International Journal of Behavioral Medicine
|December 13, 2016
Summary
Physical inactivity is linked to lower cognitive performance in older adults, irrespective of their weight status or how long they have been overweight. Maintaining an active lifestyle is crucial for cognitive health.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Public Health
Background:
- Physical activity is known to mitigate cardiovascular risks associated with obesity.
- Emerging research considers obesity duration in health outcomes.
- The interplay between physical activity, obesity, obesity duration, and cognitive function remains under-explored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between physical activity, body mass index (BMI), obesity duration, and cognitive task performance.
- To examine how weight status and its duration interact with physical activity levels in older adults.
- To assess cognitive function using the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST).
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the 1999-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (N=2322 adults aged 60-85).
- Assessed physical activity via self-report and measured BMI directly.
- Categorized participants into eight groups based on current/past weight status and current activity level.
Main Results:
- Physical inactivity was significantly associated with lower cognitive task performance (DSST scores).
- This inverse relationship between inactivity and cognitive function was observed across all weight classifications and obesity durations.
- No significant cognitive differences were found among active individuals, regardless of weight status or duration.
Conclusions:
- Sedentary behavior, independent of weight classification and the duration of being overweight or obese, is inversely associated with cognitive task performance in older adults.
- Promoting physical activity may be a key strategy for maintaining cognitive function in aging populations.
- Future research should explore mechanisms linking inactivity to cognitive decline in diverse weight groups.
