The obesity paradox in cognitive decline: Impact of body mass index (BMI) dynamics and APOE genotypes across various cognitive status
Main finding · Developing MCIResult — go to the resultHazard ratio 3.065 95% CI 1.156–8.126Authors' conclusion
This research supports the 'obesity paradox' and highlights the critical role of APOE in modulating BMI's influence on cognitive health.
Study context
- Population
- Individuals from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center (NACC) across various cognitive status
- Participants
- 23,255 individuals
- Exposure
- BMI categories and annual BMI change vs normal BMI / stable BMI
- Outcome
- Cognitive decline (MCI, dementia)
Methodological detailsmultivariable logistic and Cox regression, subgroup analyses by APOE genotype
- Multivariable logistic and Cox regression
- Subgroup analyses by APOE genotype
Main finding
Developing MCI
Hazard ratio
3.065
95% CI 1.156–8.126
Underweightvs Normal BMI
HR 3.065 (95% CI 1.156–8.126)
As reported in the abstract
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | HR (95% CI) | |
|---|---|---|
| Developing dementiaUnderweightvs Normal BMI | 4.057 (1.433–11.483) | |
| Developing dementia by annual BMI change >5% vs stable BMIAnnual BMI gain >5%vs Stable BMI | 2.336 (2.128–2.565) | |
| Developing dementia by annual BMI change >5% vs stable BMIAnnual BMI loss >5%vs Stable BMI | 2.338 (2.119–2.581) | |
| 0.050.21520Hazard ratio (log scale) |
Cognitive decline, longitudinal · 4.07-year follow-up
- Experienced cognitive decline
- 9171 individuals
- Overweight or obese linked to lower risk of cognitive decline in impaired not MCI, MCI and dementia; no effect in normal cognition
APOE genotype
- Different APOE genotypes may influence the effect of BMI and BMI variability on cognitive decline
Original publication
The obesity paradox in cognitive decline: Impact of BMI dynamics and APOE genotypes across various cognitive status. Diabetes Obes Metab. Published 2 May 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →