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A HIGHER BMI SEEMS TO BOOST MEMORY LATER IN LIFE
New research challenges the idea that obesity harms cognition—suggesting that, in some cases, higher BMI may be linked to stronger memory performance in midlife
In a recent study published in the journal Scientific Reports, a group of researchers examined the association between body mass index (BMI) across different life stages and cognitive performance in midlife among Black and White Americans.
BACKGROUND
Can additional body mass potentially enhance cognitive capabilities? With obesity rates anticipated to encompass most global adults by 2030, comprehending its implications beyond physical wellness becomes paramount. Though substantial adipose tissue is conventionally associated with cardiovascular complications and metabolic disorders, its neurological consequences remain enigmatic.
Certain research investigations caution about potential cognitive deterioration, while alternative studies unveil surprising potential advantages. Neurological impairment impacts millions, diminishing personal autonomy and overwhelming healthcare systems. As obesity spreads across varied demographic segments, understanding weight’s influence on cognitive longevity has emerged as a critical scientific endeavor.
These persistent uncertainties emphasize the imperative for comprehensive investigations, particularly among underrepresented racial populations, to refine and optimize public health strategies and potential interventional approaches.
THE STUDY
The research drew upon data from the Bogalusa Heart Study, a comprehensive longitudinal cohort tracking health indicators from childhood through adulthood since 1973. Participants comprised self-identified Black and White Americans located in Louisiana.
The final analytical sample encompassed 1,292 individuals (slightly less than the initially considered 1,295) with complete body mass index and cognitive data spanning multiple developmental periods. Body mass index measurements were systematically recorded during multiple visits from early life through midlife. Cognitive evaluations were administered between 2013 and 2016, targeting participants aged 40-58 years.
Body mass index was calculated and averaged across three distinct developmental stages: childhood/adolescence (4-20 years, represented via percentiles), early adulthood (20-40 years), and midlife (40-58 years). Cognitive performance assessment involved standardized neuropsychological tests, including Logical Memory (measuring immediate and delayed recall), Digit Span Forward and Backward tests, Trail Making Test variants A and B, and a comprehensive cognitive composite score.
Statistical analysis employed linear regression models to examine the relationship between body mass index and cognitive performance, systematically controlling for variables including sex, race, and educational attainment. Analyses were strategically stratified by sex and race to investigate potential demographic variations.
The research implemented Holm-Bonferroni corrections to mitigate multiple comparison challenges, thereby enhancing statistical precision. Outliers in body mass index and cognitive scores were methodically identified and excluded based on established interquartile range criteria.
THE RESULTS
The research sample consisted of 59% female participants and 34% Black American individuals. White Americans demonstrated superior performance on cognitive assessments compared to Black Americans, although the latter group exhibited more pronounced relationships between body mass index and cognitive function. The cohort averaged 13.3 ± 2.5 years of education, with a mean age of 48.2 ± 5.2 years during cognitive testing.
Body mass index percentiles during childhood and adolescence remained within healthy ranges, while early adulthood and midlife BMI measurements averaged in the overweight and class 1 obesity categories. Black Americans demonstrated higher early adulthood and midlife body mass index compared to White Americans, with women presenting elevated midlife BMI relative to men.
Notably, elevated body mass index during early adulthood and midlife correlated significantly with enhanced cognitive performance across multiple domains, particularly among men and Black Americans. Male participants exhibited improved global cognition and memory scores, with more pronounced effects observed in Logical Memory I, Logical Memory II, and Logical Memory II Recognition tests.
Black Americans displayed a particularly strong positive association between higher early adulthood and midlife body mass index and Logical Memory I and II scores, suggesting a more intricate relationship between body mass and cognitive performance, despite overall lower test scores compared to White Americans.
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