The Role of Body Mass Index, Advanced Age, and Low Educational Attainment in Mild Cognitive Impairment among the Older Adult Population: A Study in a Rural Area in Indonesia

Abstract

This study evaluated the prevalence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and factors associated with MCI among older adults in a rural area of Indonesia. This cross-sectional study was conducted in a rural area of East Java, Indonesia. Four hundred and twenty-seven older adults aged ≥60 years were included in the study. MCI was assessed using the Brain Health Test Cognitive Tool. Data related to possible risk factors were obtained using semi-structured questionnaires. The indirect body mass index was determined based on ulnar length. The prevalence of MCI was 12.9%. Being underweight (<18.5 kg/m2) (odds ratio [OR], 2.42; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17–4.97; p = 0.016), requiring assistance to manage money or medications (OR, 2.72; 95% CI, 1.02–7.23; p = 0.045), age ≥70 years (OR, 2.50; 95% CI, 1.11–5.60; p = 0.026), and having an educational attainment of ≤6 years (OR, 4.92; 95% CI, 1.92–12.60; p = 0.001) were significantly associated with MCI. In this Indonesian older adult population, underweight people who had an educational attainment of <6 years, those aged ≥70 years, and those who needed assistance to manage money or medications were more likely to have MCI.