Sex differences in obesity and cognitive function in a cognitively normal aging Chinese Han population

Abstract

BackgroundSex differences in Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment have been well recognized. However, sex differences in cognitive function and obesity in cognitively normal aging Chinese Han population have not attracted much attention.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between sex, obesity, and cognitive function in an elderly Chinese population with normal cognitive function.Subjects and methodsA total of 228 cognitively normal aging participants (males/females =93/135) entered this study. Their general demographic information (sex, age, and education) was collected by standardized questionnaire. Apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype and serum lipid levels were measured. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was used to assess participants’ cognitive function.ResultsThe prevalence of obesity in elderly women (18/133, 13.5%) was significantly higher than that in men (5/92, 5.4%, P=0.009). Regression analyses showed that obesity was associated with drinking alcohol (OR =13.695, P=0.045) and triglyceride (OR =1.436, P=0.048) in women and limited to low-density lipoprotein (OR =11.829, P=0.023) in men. Women performed worse on the naming score for MoCA than men (P<0.01). Stepwise linear regression analysis showed that education (t=3.689, P<0.001) and smoking (t=2.031, P=0.045) were related to the score of naming in female, while high-density lipoprotein (t=−2.077, P=0.041) was related to the score of naming in male; however, no correlation was found between body mass index and cognitive function in both male and female (P>0.05).ConclusionOur finding suggests that there are significant sex differences in obesity and specific cognitive domains in aging Chinese Han population with normal cognitive function.

Subgroup analysis of the influence of body mass index on the association between serum lipids and cognitive function in Chinese population

“…In a study among of Chinese older adults aged 90 years and over (3), the prevalence of cognitive impairment increased to 57.8% overall and up to 67.2% among women. Other studies have shown similar results (4) (5) . These inconsistencies might be attributable to gender-and age-related differences in blood lipid pro les, aetiology of dementia and methods of cognitive assessment (2,6).…”

Subgroup analysis of the influence of body mass index on the association between serum lipids and cognitive function in Chinese population

“…In a study among of Chinese older adults aged 90 years and over [3], the prevalence of cognitive impairment increased to 57.8% overall and up to 67.2% among women. Other studies have shown similar results [4,5] . These inconsistencies might be attributable to gender-and age-related differences in blood lipid profiles, aetiology of dementia and methods of cognitive assessment [2,6].…”

Association of body mass index and blood lipid profile with cognitive function in Chinese elderly population based on data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey, 2009–2015

“…Participants may have had alterations in their energetic profile as a result of weight loss, reduced caloric intake, and increased energy requirements, while low lipid levels might have reflected malnutrition in subjects with cognitive impairment . Accumulating evidence suggests that lipid levels are associated with cognitive function and dementia, but studies have shown that the association between lipid levels and cognitive function might be complicated by and related to sex, age, and specific cognitive domains . These inconsistent results and potential relationships triggered our interest in exploring the cognitive function’s association with BMI and serum lipids in the elderly population.…”