Modifiable lifestyle factors associated with cognitive functioning among college students

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Public Health
• Cognitive Psychology

Background:

• Cognitive health is vital for independence, but young adults are often overlooked in public health strategies.
• Modifiable lifestyle factors and non-modifiable risks (age, genetics) influence cognitive function.
• Understanding these factors in young adults is key for early intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between lifestyle factors and cognitive performance in college students.
• To identify specific behaviors associated with better executive function, working memory, processing speed, and verbal learning.
• To explore potential early intervention targets for long-term cognitive resilience.

Main Methods:

• 126 college students completed cognitive tasks assessing executive function, working memory, processing speed, and verbal learning/memory.
• Self-report questionnaires measured social engagement, diet, physical activity, sleep, and alcohol consumption.
• Regression analyses examined associations between lifestyle factors and cognitive performance, with moderation analyses for interactions.

Main Results:

• Social engagement was consistently linked to better performance across multiple cognitive tasks.
• Adherence to the Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet showed a trend towards improved working memory.
• Several significant interactions between lifestyle factors and cognitive performance were identified.

Conclusions:

• Social engagement and adherence to healthy dietary patterns like the MIND diet show promise for enhancing cognitive function in young adults.
• These modifiable lifestyle factors are crucial for building cognitive resilience from early adulthood.
• Findings support the development of targeted public health interventions for young adults to promote lifelong cognitive health.