The relationship between changes in body weight and cognitive function in the elderly
Authors' conclusion
Moderate weight gain from early adulthood to late life was associated with a reduced risk of cognitive impairment, while weight loss showed a non-significant trend toward increased risk.
Study context
- Population
- National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) participants aged ≥60 years with recalled weight at young and middle adulthood
- Participants
- 5,097 participants
- Exposure
- Weight change categories during adulthood vs stable weight
- Outcome
- Cognitive impairment assessed by the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST)
Methodological detailsNHANES data, logistic regression adjusted for covariates, recalled weight
- NHANES data
- Logistic regression adjusted for covariates
- Recalled weight
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Cognitive impairment · age 25 to 10 years before survey
Each group vs stable weightOdds ratio (95% CI)P value
Gain ≥2.5 to <10 kg
0.64(0.48–0.85)
P = 0.003Gain ≥10 to <20 kg
0.61(0.46–0.79)
P < 0.001Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | OR (95% CI) | P value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cognitive impairment · age 25 years to surveyGain ≥10 to <20 kgvs Stable weight | 0.66 (0.50–0.89) | P = 0.007 | |
| 0.512Odds ratio (log scale) |
Shape of association between absolute weight change and cognitive function
- Restricted cubic spline indicated a U-shaped relationship
Original publication
The relationship between changes in body weight and cognitive function in the elderly. Int J Obes (Lond). Published 28 July 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →