Dataset Information

Physical activity is associated with better global cognition and frontal function in overweight/obese older adults with metabolic syndrome.

ABSTRACT:

Background

There is epidemiological evidence of an association between the metabolic syndrome (MetS), a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors related to central adiposity and insulin resistance, and cognitive impairment and dementia. On the other hand, there is evidence for a beneficial effect of physical activity on cognitive outcomes in older adult populations. In a cross-sectional study, we evaluated the relationship between aerobic physical activity and cognition in a cohort of overweight/obese older adults with MetS at risk for dementia. Cognitive function was assessed in a subsample of 82 subjects (men 55-75 y; women 60-75 y), with MetS and a BMI ≥27 to < 40 kg/m² enrolled in the PREDIMED-PLUS study, a trial of diet and exercise in individuals with MetS with outcomes of cardiovascular prevention. Domain Z scores were calculated for the different cognitive domains. Aerobic physical activity was determined with the Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity questionnaire.

Results

Adjusted covariance analyses revealed that, compared to sedentary participants, those physically active obtained higher scores in mean global cognitive scores, with mean adjusted difference 0.254 (95% CI 0.032 to 0.477, p = 0.026) and frontal composites, with mean adjusted difference 0.375 (95% CI 0.110 to 0.639, p = 0.006).

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that aerobic physical activity is associated with better global cognition and frontal function in overweight/obese older individuals with MetS, suggesting that physical activity could be a therapeutic strategy to reduce the risk of developing cognitive impairment or dementia in this population.

SUBMITTER: Coll-Padros N

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6898945 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:BackgroundMetabolic syndrome (MetS) is one of the main reasons for elevated cardiovascular morbidity and mortality worldwide. Obese and overweight individuals are at high risk of developing these chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to characterize and establish sex-adjusted prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in 2015, 689 (329 men and 360 women) aged 18-65 years from three refugee camps in the West Bank. International Diabetes Federation and modified National Cholesterol Education Program-Third Adult Treatment Panel definitions were used to identify MetS.ResultsThe overall prevalence of obesity and overweight was high, 63.1%; Obesity (42 and 29.2% in women men; respectively and overweight 25.8 and 28.9% in women and men; respectively. The prevalence of MetS among obese and overweight was significantly higher (69.4%) according to IDF than NCEP definition (52%) (p?<?0.002) with no significant differences between men and women using both definitions; (IDF; 71.8% men vs. 67.6% women, and (NCEP/ATP III; 51.9% men vs. 52.2% women). The prevalence of MetS increased significantly with increasing obesity and age when NCEP criterion is applied but not IDF. The prevalence of individual MetS components was: high waist circumference 81.3% according to IDF and 56.5% according to NCEP, elevated FBS 65.3% according to IDF and 56% according to NCEP, elevated blood pressure 48%, decreased HDL 65.8%, and elevated triglycerides 31.7%. Based on gender differences, waist circumferences were significantly higher in women according to both criteria and only elevated FBS was higher in women according to IDF criteria. Physical activity was inversely associated with MetS prevalence according to NCEP but not IDF. No significant associations were found with gender, smoking, TV watching, and family history of hypertension or diabetes mellitus.ConclusionIn this study, irrespective of the definition used, metabolic syndrome is highly prevalent in obese and overweight Palestinian adults with no gender-based differences. The contribution of the metabolic components to the metabolic syndrome is different in men and women. With the increase of age and obesity, the clustering of metabolic syndrome components increased remarkably. More attention through health care providers should, therefore, be given to the adult population at risk to reduce adulthood obesity and subsequent cardiovascular diseases.