Abstract P421: Alternate Health Eating Index & Cognitive Function Among Middle-aged and Older Hispanics/ Latinos: The Hispanic Community Health Study/ Study of Latinos

Abstract

Introduction: A healthy diet may promote healthy cognitive aging; however, little is known about associations between diet quality and cognition in Hispanics/Latinos. Hypothesis: Higher diet quality (2010 Alternative Healthy Eating Index; AHEI-2010) is associated with better global cognition and performance on specific cognitive tests (verbal learning, memory, verbal fluency, and processing speed) in Hispanics/Latinos. Methods: Data from HCHS/SOL Visit 1 (2008-2011; n=8461; ages 45-74 years) were analyzed. The global cognition score was computed as the sum of z-scores for the individual tests. Dietary intake was assessed via two 24-hour recalls. Total AHEI-2010 score was categorized into quintiles (Q); higher Q represents higher diet quality. Cross-sectional associations between AHEI-2010 and each cognitive test were examined using survey-weighted linear regression models adjusted for age, sex, education, and total daily energy intake (Model 1); and Model 1 plus Hispanic/Latino heritage, annual household income, language preference, type 2 diabetes, smoking, and depressive symptoms (Model 2). Results: In minimally-adjusted models (Table 1), global cognition, verbal learning, verbal memory, verbal fluency, and processing speed scores were significantly higher by 1.32, 2.38, 1.40, 2.33, and 1.34 units for Q5 (vs. Q1). In fully-adjusted models, global cognitive function scores were significantly higher by 0.28, 0.52, and 0.48 units for Q2 through Q4 (vs. Q1; p -trend= 0.042). Verbal learning scores were significantly higher by 0.60, 0.62, 0.92, and 0.88 units for Q2 through Q5 (vs. Q1; p -trend= 0.020). Verbal memory scores were significantly higher by 0.33, 0.40, 0.52, and 0.46 units for Q2 through Q5 (vs. Q1; p -trend= 0.007). AHEI-2010 was not associated with verbal fluency and processing speed in Model 2. Conclusions: Among middle-aged and older Hispanics/Latinos, higher diet quality was associated with better global cognition, verbal learning, and memory, but not with verbal fluency, or processing speed.