The combined effect of physical activity and fruit and vegetable intake on decreasing cognitive decline in older Taiwanese adults

Abstract

The factors associated with cognitive decline among older adults include physical activity and fruit and vegetable intake. However, the long-term effects of concomitant physical activity and fruit and vegetable intake are unknown. This 16-year longitudinal study explored the joint effect of mitigating cognitive decline in a cohort of older Taiwanese individuals. Five population-based surveys (Taiwan Longitudinal Survey on Aging [1999-2015]) involving 4440 respondents over 53 years old in 1999 were conducted. Cognitive function was assessed using the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ). The demographic, socioeconomic, health-related, behavioral, and disease status covariates were adjusted in the regression analysis. Trends in cognitive decline were observed over 16 years. The risk of cognitive decline decreased by 63% when high physical activity and high fruit and vegetable intake were combined (odds ratio 0.37; 95% confidence interval 0.23-0.59), indicating a potential combined effect of physical activity and fruit and vegetable intake on mitigating cognitive decline. These personal actions are safe, effective, and economical approaches to health promotion and disease prevention.

Figure 1

Participants in the Taiwan Longitudinal Survey on Aging from 1999 to 2015. Missing cases were treated as incomplete data for major constructs.

Figure 2

Differences in (a) physical activity, (b) fruit and vegetable intake, and (c) combined physical activity and fruit and vegetable intake according to sex. Bars show the 95% confidence intervals.