Body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio and cognitive function among Chinese elderly: a cross-sectional study

BMJ Open. 2018 Oct 18;8(10):e022055. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-022055.

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the associations between body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and cognitive function among Chinese elderly.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Community.

Participants: Data were obtained from the baseline survey of a community-based cohort in Zhejiang Province, and 9326 persons aged 60 years and older were enrolled.

Primary outcome measures: We investigated the association between BMI and cognition, and then explored the association between WHR and cognition across different quartiles of BMI.

Results: A sample of 9087 persons was used in this study, including 4375 men and 4712 women. Higher WHR increased cognitive impairment risk in those with BMI >25.3 kg/m2 (OR (per 0.1 increase) 1.39; 95% CI 1.13 to 1.70). No statistically significant association was found in other BMI categories.

Conclusions: Higher WHR could increase the risk of cognitive impairment among elderly with BMI >25.3 kg/m2. Our results suggest that it could be of benefit to the elderly with high BMI to control WHR.

Keywords: abdominal obesity; body mass index; chinese; cognitive impairment; elderly.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Body Mass Index*
  • China / epidemiology
  • Cognition*
  • Cognitive Dysfunction / epidemiology*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Geriatric Assessment
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Mental Status and Dementia Tests
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk Factors
  • Waist-Hip Ratio*