The association between multidimensional obesity and cognitive function in the older adults: a cross-sectional study based on NHANES 2011-2014

Abstract

Objective The eight indicators of Waist Circumference (WC), Body Mass Index (BMI), Body Roundness Index (BRI), A Body Shape Index (ABSI), Centrality Index (CI), Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI), Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHtR), and Waist-to-Weight Ratio (WWI) were used to assess the multidimensional relationship between obesity and cognitive function. Methods By using data from The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey database, researchers selected eight different obesity indices as obesity indicators and used a linear regression model to analyze the relationship between obesity and cognitive function. Results This cross-sectional study analyzed cognitive function in 736 individuals aged 60 and older. Upon controlling for all potential confounding variables, there exists a substantial negative correlation between BRI, the WHtR and Animal fluency test. There exist statistically noteworthy negative correlations between the ABSI and the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) score. There were statistically significant negative associations between the 4st quartile WWI and the DSST score. Conclusions In addition to focusing on traditional types of obesity such as BMI and WC, more attention should be paid to the risks of cognitive function decline brought about by obesity indicators such as BRI, ABSI, WHtR, and WWI.