Introduction: Obesity has emerged as a critical public health issue in India, with a notable rise in prevalence, particularly among women. The relationship between obesity and cognitive function remains underexplored, especially in non-Western populations. This study aims to investigate the association between obesity and cognitive function in middle-aged women in Chennai, South India.
Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted among 140 healthy female subjects aged 40-60 years, categorized into four groups based on BMI: Normal (18.5-22.9 kg/m²), At Risk (23-24.9 kg/m²), Obese 1 (25.0-29.9 kg/m²), and Obese 2 (>30 kg/m²). Anthropometric measurements were taken, and cognitive function was assessed using the Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination (ACE) questionnaire, covering domains such as attention/orientation, memory, verbal fluency, language, and visuo-spatial abilities. Data analysis was performed using R statistical software, with ANOVA and post hoc tests to compare groups, and Pearson correlation to examine associations between anthropometric values and cognitive scores.
Results:Significant differences were found in height, weight, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, and neck circumference across BMI groups (p < 0.001). Cognitive scores significantly decreased with increasing BMI across all domains (p = 0.0001). Orientation/Attention, Memory, Verbal Fluency, Language, and Visuo-Spatial Ability scores were lowest in the Obese 2 group. Strong negative correlations were observed between BMI (r = -0.84, p = 0.0001), waist circumference (r = -0.49, p = 0.0001), hip circumference (r = -0.54, p = 0.0001), neck circumference (r = -0.41, p = 0.0001), and cognitive scores. The waist-hip ratio did not show a significant correlation with cognitive scores.
Conclusion:This study demonstrates a significant association between obesity and cognitive impairment in middle-aged women. Reducing excess weight through interventions such as diet and physical activity may improve cognitive function and reduce morbidity and mortality. Early intervention is crucial for optimal benefits
Key words: Obesity, Cognitive Function, Middle-Aged Women, BMI, Anthropometric Measurements, Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination,
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