Relationship Between Weight-Change Patterns and Cognitive Function: A Retrospective Study

Background: Obesity has been linked to cognitive impairment. However, how changes in body mass index (BMI) over the life course influence cognitive function remains unclear. Objective: The influence of distinct weight-change patterns from young adulthood to midlife and late adulthood on cognitive function in older adults was explored. Methods: A total of 5,809 individuals aged≥60 years were included and categorized into four groups on the basis of BMI change patterns. Cognitive function was assessed using four cognition tests in the baseline survey. The relationship between the weight-change patterns and cognition was evaluated using regression models. Results: In comparison with participants who remained at non-obese, those moving from the non-obese to obese weight-change pattern from young (25 years of age) to middle adulthood showed lower Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) scores (β= –1.28; 95% confidence interval [CI]: –2.24 to –0.32). A non-obese to obese change pattern from age 25 years of age to 10 years before baseline was associated with a higher risk of DSST impairment (odds ratio = 1.40; 95% CI: 1.09 to 1.79). In comparison with participants whose heaviest weight was recorded after 60 years of age, those with the heaviest weight between 18 and 40 years of age had lower DSST scores (β= –1.46; 95% CI: –2.77 to –1.52). Conclusion: Our results suggest that the transition from the non-obese to obese category in early adulthood and appearance of the heaviest weight between 18 and 40 years of age are associated with lower cognitive function in later life.