Relationship between adiposity parameters and cognition: the “fat and jolly” hypothesis in middle-aged and elderly people in China

Abstract

The association between adiposity parameters and cognition is complex. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between adiposity parameters and cognition in middle-aged and elderly people in China.Data were obtained from a cross-sectional study. Cognitive function was evaluated in 5 domains, and adiposity parameters were measured. The association between adiposity parameters and cognition was analyzed using multiple linear and binary logistic regression analyses.After controlling for confounders, men with overweight and obesity had better scores in TICS-10 ([1] total, overweight vs normal: P = .006, β = 0.04; obesity vs normal: P = .005, β = 0.04. [2] stratification by age, with age ≥ 59 years, overweight vs normal: P = .006, β = 0.05; obesity vs normal: P = .014, β = 0.05. [3] stratification by educational levels, with less than elementary education, overweight vs normal: P = .011, β = 0.05; obesity vs normal: P = .005, β = 0.05), immediate word recall ([1] total, overweight vs normal: P = .015, β = 0.04. [2] stratification by age, with age 45–58 years, overweight vs normal: P = .036, β = 0.05. [3] stratification by educational levels, with less than elementary education, overweight vs normal: P = .044, β = 0.04; above high school, overweight vs normal: P = .041, β = 0.09), self-rated memory ([1] stratification by age, with age ≥ 59 years, overweight vs normal: P = .022, β = 0.05. [2] stratification by educational levels, with less than elementary education, overweight vs normal: P = .023, β = 0.04), and drawing a picture ([1] total, overweight vs normal: OR = 1.269, 95% CI = 1.05–1.53. [2] stratification by educational levels, with less than elementary education, overweight vs normal: OR = 1.312, 95% CI = 1.06–1.63); obesity vs normal: OR = 1.601, 95% CI = 1.11–2.31 than the normal weight; women with overweight and obesity had better measure scores in the TICS-10 ([1] total, overweight vs normal: P < .0001, β = 0.06; obesity vs normal: P < .0001, β = 0.05. [2] stratification by age, with age 45–58 years, obesity vs normal: P = .007, β = 0.05; with age ≥ 59 years: overweight vs normal: P < .0001, β = 0.07, obesity vs normal: P = .002, β = 0.06. [3] stratification by educational levels, with illiterate, overweight vs normal: P = .001, β = 0.08; obesity vs normal: P = .004, β = 0.06; with less than elementary education, overweight vs normal: P < .0001, β = 0.07; obesity vs normal: P = .010, β = 0.05), immediate word recall ([1] total, overweight vs normal: P = .011, β = 0.04; obesity vs normal: P = .002, β = 0.04. [2] stratification by age, with age 45–58 years, obesity vs normal: P = .021, β = 0.05; with age ≥ 59 years: overweight vs normal: P = .003, β = 0.06. [3] stratification by educational levels, with illiterate, obesity vs normal: P = .028, β = 0.05; with less than elementary education, obesity vs normal: P = .016, β = 0.05), delay word recall ([1] total, overweight vs normal: P = .015, β = 0.03; obesity vs normal: P = .031, β = 0.03. [2] stratification by age, with age ≥ 59 years: ...

Sex Differences in the Association Between Obesity and Cognitive Impairment in a Low-Income Elderly Population in Rural China: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study

“…In our study, a high BMI was associated with an increased prevalence of cognitive impairment in elderly women. In contrast, a high BMI appeared to be a protective factor for elderly men, although not to a significant degree, which was partly consistent with results of previous studies (18,20). A prospective study of community-dwelling Koreans demonstrated that increased obesity, as defined using BMI, over time was associated with better cognitive function in elderly men.…”

“…However, the association between BMI and cognitive decline in the elderly is complex and controversial. Most studies have reported that being overweight in later life was associated with a lower risk of cognitive impairment and dementia in the elderly, which supported the "jolly fat" hypothesis of cognitive function (18,20,(27)(28)(29). A clinical retrospective cohort study over two decades was conducted in the UK, and almost two million participants aged 40 years and older were included.…”

“…In contrast, other studies have reported that both general and abdominal obesity were associated with an increased risk of cognitive dysfunction in old age (16,17). Furthermore, few studies have reported the sex-related relationships between obesity and cognitive impairment, and these results were inconsistent (18)(19)(20).…”

Combined Effect of Famine Exposure and Obesity Parameters on Hypertension in the Midaged and Older Adult: A Population‐Based Cross‐Sectional Study

“…Baseline characteristics including age, sex (0 = male; 1 = female), marital status (0 = single; 1 = married), education (0 = illiterate; 1 = less than elementary school; 2 = high school; 3 = above vocational school), living place (0 = rural; 1 = urban), smoking status (0 = no; 1 = former smoke; 2 = current smoke), drinking status (0 = no; 1 = less than once a month; 2 = more than once a month), eating habit (0 = ≤2 meals per day; 1 = 3 meals per day; 2 = ≥4 meals per day), social activities (0 = no; 1 = yes), experience of traumatic events (0 = no; 1 = yes), and physical exercise habit (0 = no; 1 = less than regular physical exercises; 2 = regular physical exercises) were collected by self-report. Most variables were depending on our previous research studies [33][34][35][36][37][38].…”

Individual and Combined Effect of Famine Exposure and Obesity Parameters on Dyslipidemia in Mid-Aged and Older Adult: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study

“…Baseline variables including age, sex(0 = male, 1 = female), educational levels (0 = Illiterate, 1 = Less than elementary school, 2 = High school, 3 = Above vocational school), marital status(0 = Single, 1 = Married), place of residence(0 = Rural, 1 = Urban), smoking habits(0 = No, 1 = Former smoke, 2 = Current smoke), alcohol consumption (0 = No, 1 = Less than once a month, 2 = More than once a month), eating meals (0 = ≤ 2 meals per day, 1 = 3 meals per day, 2 = ≥ 4 meals per day), social and leisure activities (0 = No, 1 = Yes), experience of a traumatic event(0 = No, 1 = Yes), physical exercise habit(0 = No, 1 = Less than regular physical exercises, 2 = Regular physical exercises) were collected using a type of self-report method. Most variables were depending on our previous research studies [21][22][23][24][25][26].…”