Association Between Body Mass Index and Cognitive Function Among Older Adults in India: Findings from a Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective The study aimed to explore the association between body mass index (BMI) and cognitive function among older adults in India. Methods Cross-sectional data on 21,000 older adults aged 60 years and older from the first wave of the Longitudinal Ageing Study of India (LASI), conducted in India during 2017-18, were used. Bivariate analysis and multivariate linear regression models were applied. The cognition tests include memory, orientation, arithmetic function, executive function, and object naming. Results The mean overall cognition score was 24.6 in the study population. Further, BMI status showed a significant and positive association with cognition. The association of underweight with poor cognition (β=-0.72; 95% CI = −0.89, −0.54) whereas overweight (β = 0.57; 95% CI = 0.39, 0.75) and obese (β = 0.97; 95% CI = 0.68, 1.26) with better cognition remained statistically significant after adjusting for sociodemographic, health-related behavior, and health covariates. The mean cognition score of female older adults was always lower than male older adults with normal BMI, irrespective of their BMI categories. Conclusions This study shows that an underweight BMI is associated with poor cognition in both male and female older adults. In the context of providing health care for older individuals, underweight individuals should be given more attention in India.