Relationship Between Combined Lifestyle and Cognitive Function Among Older Adults in Rural Communities.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Cognitive impairment is a growing concern among aging populations, particularly in rural communities.
• Understanding modifiable lifestyle factors is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between combined lifestyle patterns and cognitive function in older adults residing in rural areas.
• To identify specific lifestyle components that influence cognitive health in this demographic.

Main Methods:

• A multi-stage stratified sampling method surveyed 1,408 older adults (≥60 years) in Shanghai rural communities.
• Data collected included demographics, cognitive function, and lifestyle factors via face-to-face interviews.
• Binary logistic regression, trend tests, and subgroup analyses were used to examine associations.

Main Results:

• Cognitive impairment prevalence was 15.63% among participants.
• Healthy and moderate lifestyles were significantly associated with lower odds of cognitive impairment (OR=0.377 and OR=0.609, respectively).
• Dietary diversity, physical activity intensity, and sleep duration showed protective effects; a higher combined lifestyle score decreased cognitive impairment risk (P-trend=0.011).

Conclusions:

• Healthy lifestyle choices are significantly associated with reduced cognitive impairment in rural older adults.
• Comprehensive lifestyle interventions show promise for protecting cognitive function in this population.
• Gender-specific effects were observed, with healthy lifestyles offering greater protection for women.