Elevated visceral adiposity index linked to improved cognitive function in middle-aged and elderly Chinese: evidence from the China health and retirement longitudinal study

Zeng, Zhaohao1,2,3,4,5; Huang, Kunyu2,6; Cen, Yanmei3; Jin, Wen1,2; Shen, Yingao1,2; Xiong, Lijiao2,3,4,5,7; Mao, Fengju1,2,4,5; Hong, Guo1,2,3,4,5; Luo, Yu1,2,3,4,5; Luo, Xiaoguang1,2,4,5

2023-10-20

10.3389/fnagi.2023.1270239

FRONTIERS IN AGING NEUROSCIENCE   Impact Factor & Quartile

1663-4365

ObjectCognitive decline and obesity are major global public health issues, and their association has been widely acknowledged. The link between the visceral adiposity index (VAI) and cognitive function in the Chinese population remains uncertain. This study aims to investigate the effects of VAI levels on cognitive function in the Chinese middle-aged and elderly population.MethodsWe analyzed longitudinal data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) collected in 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2018. VAI levels were divided into three tertiles. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) models were used to explore the relationships between VAI levels and cognitive function, including overall cognitive scores, episodic memory, and mental status. Adjustments were made for potential confounders.ResultsThe study consisted of 2,677 participants. Contrary to expectations, higher VAI levels were associated with higher overall cognitive scores and improved episodic memory scores, while no significant effect was observed on mental status. The GEE models consistently indicated that higher VAI levels were associated with higher overall cognitive scores, primarily due to their association with episodic memory. Stratified analyses revealed that the VAI was associated with better cognitive function primarily in males, individuals under 60 years old, those with lower education levels, rural residents, and married individuals, mainly in relation to episodic memory. No significant interactions were observed between VAI and demographic factors.ConclusionOur findings suggest that higher visceral adiposity is associated with slower cognitive decline in the Chinese middle-aged and elderly population, especially in its association with episodic memory. These results underline the need to further investigate the potential protective role of visceral fat in cognitive function, potentially offering new insights for interventions to enhance cognitive function and prevent dementia in this population.

cognitive function visceral adiposity index visceral obesity China health and retirement longitudinal study dementia

SCI

English

Corresponding

The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. This work was supported by the Science and Technology Planning Project of Shenzhen Municipality (KCXFZ20201221173605013).[KCXFZ20201221173605013]

Geriatrics & Gerontology ; Neurosciences & Neurology

Geriatrics & Gerontology ; Neurosciences

WOS:001092208800001

FRONTIERS MEDIA SA

Web of Science

1.Jinan Univ, Shenzhen Peoples Hosp, Dept Neurol, Clin Med Coll 2, Guangzhou, Peoples R China
2.Southern Univ Sci & Technol, Affiliated Hosp 1, Shenzhen, Guangdong, Peoples R China
3.Jinan Univ, Clin Med Coll 1, Guangzhou, Guangdong, Peoples R China
4.Jinan Univ, Shenzhen Peoples Hosp, Guangdong Prov Clin Res Ctr Geriatr, Shenzhen Clin Res Ctr Geriatr,Clin Med Coll 2, Guangzhou, Peoples R China
5.Southern Univ Sci & Technol, Affiliated Hosp 1, Shenzhen, Peoples R China
6.Sun Yat Sen Univ, Mem Hosp, Shenshan Med Ctr, Dept Pharm, Shanwei, Guangdong, Peoples R China
7.Jinan Univ, Shenzhen Peoples Hosp, Clin Med Coll 2, Dept Geriatr, Guangzhou, Peoples R China

Zeng, Zhaohao,Huang, Kunyu,Cen, Yanmei,et al. Elevated visceral adiposity index linked to improved cognitive function in middle-aged and elderly Chinese: evidence from the China health and retirement longitudinal study[J]. FRONTIERS IN AGING NEUROSCIENCE,2023,15.

Zeng, Zhaohao.,Huang, Kunyu.,Cen, Yanmei.,Jin, Wen.,Shen, Yingao.,...&Luo, Xiaoguang.(2023).Elevated visceral adiposity index linked to improved cognitive function in middle-aged and elderly Chinese: evidence from the China health and retirement longitudinal study.FRONTIERS IN AGING NEUROSCIENCE,15.

Zeng, Zhaohao,et al."Elevated visceral adiposity index linked to improved cognitive function in middle-aged and elderly Chinese: evidence from the China health and retirement longitudinal study".FRONTIERS IN AGING NEUROSCIENCE 15(2023).