Changes in Adiposity and Cognitive Function in Older Adults: The REGARDS Study

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Neuroscience
• Public Health

Background:

• Adiposity is a known risk factor for dementia.
• Limited research exists on the impact of changes in adiposity on cognitive decline.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between changes in adiposity and cognitive function in older adults.
• To examine these associations in both Black and White populations.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal study of 12,204 older adults without cognitive impairment.
• Measured percent body mass index (%BMI) and percent waist circumference (%WC) change over time.
• Assessed cognitive function annually and specific cognitive domains (memory, executive function) every two years.

Main Results:

• A greater decrease in %BMI and %WC was significantly associated with higher risk of cognitive impairment.
• Decline exceeding 10% in %BMI or %WC correlated with increased cognitive impairment and loss in memory and executive function.
• A 5%-10% decrease in %BMI was linked to higher cognitive impairment risk and memory loss.

Conclusions:

• Significant reductions in adiposity, indicated by %BMI and %WC, are associated with accelerated cognitive decline.
• Monitoring adiposity changes may be crucial for identifying older adults at risk for cognitive impairment.