Relationship Between Weight-Change Patterns and Cognitive Function: A Retrospective Study

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Gerontology
• Public Health

Background:

• Obesity is a known risk factor for cognitive impairment.
• The impact of body mass index (BMI) changes across the lifespan on cognitive function is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how distinct body mass index (BMI) change patterns from young adulthood to midlife and late adulthood affect cognitive function in older adults.
• To explore the relationship between weight change trajectories and cognitive performance in later life.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from 5,809 individuals aged 60 years and older.
• Categorized participants into four groups based on BMI change patterns from young adulthood to midlife.
• Assessed cognitive function using four standardized tests and analyzed the association with weight-change patterns via regression models.

Main Results:

• Transitioning from non-obese to obese between ages 25 and midlife was associated with lower Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) scores.
• A non-obese to obese BMI change from age 25 to 10 years pre-baseline increased the risk of DSST impairment.
• Individuals whose heaviest weight was between 18-40 years had lower DSST scores compared to those heaviest post-60.

Conclusions:

• The transition to obesity in early adulthood is linked to diminished cognitive function in later life.
• Experiencing peak weight between 18 and 40 years of age is associated with poorer cognitive function in older age.
• These findings highlight the long-term impact of weight management on cognitive health across the lifespan.