Project description:Background: Food insecurity refers to the physical, social, and economic inability to access and secure sufficient, safe and nutritious food. Food insecurity has been found to be associated with poor health status, obesity, and chronic disease. To date, a relationship between food insecurity and functional limitations has not been described in of older adults. Methods: We examined 9309 adults ≥60 years old from the 2005-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES). Food security was categorized as full, marginal, low, and very low. Functional limitations were assessed as having difficulty in physical, basic or instrumental activities of daily living. Results: Of adults ≥60 years old (mean age: 70.5 ± 0.08, 51% female), the prevalence of full, marginal, low, or very low food insecurity was 7572 (81%), 717 (7%), 667 (8%), and 353 (4%), respectively. The prevalence of any functional limitations was 5895 (66.3%). The adjusted odds (OR [95%CI]) of having any functional limitation in marginal, low, and very low food security levels compared to full food security are: 1.08 [1.02-1.13], 1.16 [1.10-1.22], 1.14 [1.07-1.21], respectively. The association between levels of food insecurity and functional limitation is modified by race/ethnicity. Conclusions: Functional limitation is significantly associated with increasing food insecurity in older adults.
Project description:A relationship between metabolic syndrome and cognitive impairment has been evidenced across research; however, conflicting results have been observed. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 3179 adults older than 60 from the 2011-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to analyze the relationship between metabolic syndrome and cognitive impairment. In our results, we found that adults with abdominal obesity, high triglycerides, and low HDL cholesterol had 4.39 fewer points in the CERAD immediate recall test than adults without any metabolic syndrome factors [Beta = -4.39, SE = 1.32, 17.75 (1.36) vs. 22.14 (0.76)]. In addition, people with this metabolic syndrome combination exhibited 2.39 fewer points in the CERAD delayed recall test than those without metabolic syndrome criteria [Beta = -2.39, SE = 0.46, 4.32 (0.49) vs. 6.71 (0.30)]. It was also found that persons with high blood pressure, hyperglycemia, and low HDL-cholesterol levels reached 4.11 points less in the animal fluency test than people with no factors [Beta = -4.11, SE = 1.55, 12.67 (2.12) vs. 16.79 (1.35)]. These findings suggest that specific metabolic syndrome combinations are essential predictors of cognitive impairment. In this study, metabolic syndrome combinations that included obesity, fasting hyperglycemia, high triglycerides, and low HDL-cholesterol were among the most frequent criteria observed.
Project description:PurposeRisks of dehydration and cognitive decline increase with advancing age, yet the relation between dehydration, water intake, and cognitive performance among older adults remains understudied.MethodsUsing data from the 2011-2014 cycles of the Nutrition and Health Examination Survey (NHANES), we tested if calculated serum osmolarity (Sosm) and adequate intake (AI) of water among women (n = 1271) and men (n = 1235) ≥ 60 years old were associated with scores of immediate and delayed recall, verbal fluency, and attention/processing speed. Sosm was categorized as < 285 (hyperhydrated), 285-289, 290-294, 295-300, or > 300 (dehydrated) mmol/L. AI of water was defined as ≥ 2 L/day for women and ≥ 2.5 L/day for men.ResultsWomen with Sosm between 285 and 289 mmol/L scored 3.2-5.1 points higher on the Digit Symbol Substitution test (DSST) of attention/processing speed than women in other Sosm categories (P values < 0.05). There was evidence of a curvilinear relationship between DSST scores and Sosm among women and men (P values for quadratic terms < 0.02). Meeting an alternative AI on water intake of ≥ 1 mL/kcal and ≥ 1500 mL, but not the sex-specific AI, was associated with scoring one point higher on a verbal fluency test (P = 0.02) and two points higher on the DSST (P = 0.03) among women. Significant negative associations between dehydration or inadequate water intake and test scores were not observed among men.ConclusionHydration status and water intake were moderately associated with attention/processing speed among females. Future work should consider the effects of both dehydration and overhydration on cognitive function and investigate potential sex differences in cognitive responses to hydration status.
Project description:PurposeThis study evaluated the association between ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption and cognitive performance among older US adults.MethodsThis cross-sectional study assessed 3632 participants aged 60+ years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-14. Cognitive performance was assessed using the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD), Word Learning test, Animal Fluency test, and the Digit Symbol Substitution test (DSST). Dietary intake was assessed using two 24-h diet recalls. Food items were classified according to the NOVA system, a classification based on the nature, extent, and purpose of industrial food processing. Linear regression models were used to evaluate the association of dietary share of UPF (% of daily energy intake) (categorized as tertiles) and cognitive test scores, adjusting for socio-demographic variables, physical activity, smoking status, and chronic diseases (cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and depression). Models excluding participants with pre-existing diseases were carried out to address potential reverse causality.ResultsOn average, UPF accounted for 53% of total energy intake, ranging from 33 to 70% across extreme tertiles. Inverted U-shape association between UPF consumption and Animal fluency and DSST was observed. No significant associations were observed between the UPF intake tertiles and the cognitive test results. Nonetheless, UPF consumption was significantly associated with worse performance in Animal Fluency in older adults without pre-existing diseases (P < 0.05).ConclusionUPF consumption was associated with worse performance in Animal Fluency among older people without pre-existing diseases. Decreasing UPF consumption may be a way to improve impaired cognition among older adults.
Project description:Objectives: Dietary carotenoids may limit neuronal damage from free radicals, potentially serving as a modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline. We examined intake of lutein and zeaxanthin (L and Z) in relation to cognitive performance among 2011-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey participants aged ≥60 years. Methods: L and Z intake from foods and supplements was estimated from two non-consecutive 24-hour diet recalls. Outcomes included the CERAD Word Learning sub-test score, Animal Fluency test score, and Digit Symbol Substitution test score. Regression models were adjusted for survey design variables, year, sex, age, race/ethnicity, body mass index, family income, education, alcohol, and smoking. Results: Among the 2796 participants, higher dietary intake of L and Z was associated with higher score on each test. For example, the highest quartile of L and Z intake was associated with a 2.52 point increase (SE=0.86 points, P=0.01) on the digit symbol score test, compared with the lowest quartile. There were differences by race/ethnicity, with positive associations generally stronger for Black compared to white participants. Discussion: Further research from longitudinal studies is needed, but increasing L and Z intake may help to prevent or slow cognitive decline.
Project description:ObjectiveTo determine the relationship between domain-specific physical activity (PA) (e.g., occupational PA [OPA], transport-related PA [TPA], and recreational PA [RPA]) and cognitive function in older adults.MethodsThe data was obtained from the 2011-2014 cycle of the NHANES. We utilized weighted multivariate linear regression models among the included 2,924 people aged 60 years or older for our purposes.ResultsRPA and total PA according to WHO guidelines were associated with verbal fluency (RPA β: 1.400, 95% CI: 0.776, 2.024, p = 0.002; total PA β: 1.115, 95% CI: 0.571, 1.659, p = 0.001), processing speed and executive function (RPA β: 2.912, 95% CI. 1.291, 4.534, p = 0.005; total PA β: 2.974, 95% CI: 1.683, 4.265, p < 0.001) were positively correlated, and total PA was correlated with delayed memory performance (β: 0.254, 95% CI: 0.058, 0.449, p = 0.019). No significant association was observed between OPA, TPA, and various aspects of cognitive function among individuals over 60 years.ConclusionThere was no noteworthy correlation discovered between OPA and TPA in relation to cognitive function. However, RPA and total PA exhibited significant associations with verbal fluency, processing speed, and executive function. Additionally, maintaining PA levels ranging from 600 to 1,200 MET-min/week would yield the most favorable outcomes for cognitive function.
Project description:ObjectiveArthritis has been postulated as a prevalent potential risk factor for the emergence of dementia and cognitive impairment. This conjecture prompted an examination of the correlation between arthritis and cognitive impairment using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) repository. The analysis was meticulously adjusted for potential confounders such as age and assorted systemic comorbidities, to ensure robustness in the results obtained.MethodsAmong 2,398 adults aged 60 years and above, logistic regression and cubic spline models were employed to elucidate the relationship between arthritis and cognitive performance. This was assessed utilizing tests such as Immediate Recall test (IRT), Delayed Recall test (DRT), Animal Fluency Test (AFT), and Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST).ResultsIn our investigation, a total of 19931 individuals were analyzed, among which 2,398 patients (12.03%) were identified with arthritis. Subjects with arthritis inflammation had lower DSST and AFT scores compared to the healthy group, indicating cognitive decline. After adjusting for all covariates, arthritis was significantly associated with higher DSST and AFT scores by logistic regression modeling (OR: 0.796, 95% CI: 0.649-0.975; OR: 0.769, 95% CI: 0.611-0.968).ConclusionOur analysis underscores the potential linkage between arthritis prevalence and cognitive impairment within a nationally representative of US older adults.
Project description:BackgroundOrganophosphate esters (OPEs) are widely used as an alternative to the brominated flame retardant polybrominated diphenyl ethers. The effects of OPEs on the cognitive abilities of older adults remain unclear.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2014. Cognitive function was assessed using the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD) word learning test, the CERAD word recall test, the Animal Fluency Test (AFT), and the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST). OPE metabolites with detection rates above 50% were included in the study. Weighted multiple linear regression, weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression, and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models were used to examine the effects of individual and mixed exposures to OPE metabolites on cognitive function.ResultsA total of 762 older adults were included. The weighted linear regression model revealed a positive association between Ln DPHP, Ln BDCPP, and Ln BCPP and the DSST score, while a negative association was observed between Ln DBUP and the DSST score. In the positive WQS model, the index was correlated with DSST score (β = 2.65, 95% CI: 0.40 ~ 4.90, P = 0.02), with DPHP having the highest weight. The results of BKMR analysis indicated a borderline statistical significance in the increase of DSST score when the mixture of OPEs is set to a specific 90th percentile compared to all mixture concentrations set to the median.ConclusionsOverall exposure to OPE metabolites are associated with improved cognitive function in older adults in the United States. Further prospective studies with large sample sizes are needed to confirm these results.
Project description:BackgroundAn increasing number of adults are over the age of 65, and there is concern about the increasing prevalence of age-associated cognitive decline and poor mental health status in older adults in the United States. Several nutrients are known to have important biological roles in brain health and neurological function, but many individuals fall short of recommended intake levels. The objective of this study was to examine the association between nutrient intake and cognitive function. We also explored whether nutrient intake was associated with depression.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was based on data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011-2014 and included participants ≥ 60 years of age who had reliable day 1 dietary recall data and either valid cognitive function data (n = 2713) or valid depression score data (n = 2943). The sample was stratified by gender, and cognitive functioning test (CFT) composite z-scores were analyzed by quartiles. Depression status was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9).ResultsHigher intake and adequacy of a number of different nutrients from food were associated with higher cognitive function in both males and females. Nutrients that showed the most consistent associations with cognitive function across intake and adequacy analyses for food in both males and females were vitamin A, vitamin E, thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B6, folate, magnesium, potassium, zinc, vitamin K, and lutein and zeaxanthin (p < 0.05 for all). These associations were positive with increasing intake and adequacy being associated with higher CFT composite z-scores. Analysis of nutrient intake and depression yielded results that differed by gender. In females, the nutrients that showed consistent inverse associations with depression scores across both intake and adequacy analyses for food were vitamin A, vitamin C, magnesium, vitamin K, potassium, and dietary fiber (p < 0.05 for all). In males, no significant associations between nutrient intake from food and depression scores were observed.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that older adults with sufficient intakes of certain essential nutrients have higher cognitive function. Future studies are needed to confirm whether a well-balanced diet and/or dietary supplements which emphasize these nutrients are effective for prevention of age-related declines in cognitive function and mood.