Associations of abdominal adiposity, lean body mass, and fat body mass with dementia and cognitive change in older age

Abstract INTRODUCTION This study examined whether the waist circumference–body mass index ratio (WBR), lean body mass (LBM), and fat body mass (FBM) were associated with dementia or cognitive change. METHODS We analyzed data from >17,000 individuals aged 65 to 98 years at enrollment. LBM and FBM...

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Main Authors: Zimu Wu, Alice Owen, Robyn L. Woods, Zhen Zhou, Trevor T.‐J. Chong, Suzanne G. Orchard, Raj C. Shah, Kerry M. Sheets, Anne M. Murray, Joanne Ryan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-04-01
Series:Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/dad2.70135
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author Zimu Wu
Alice Owen
Robyn L. Woods
Zhen Zhou
Trevor T.‐J. Chong
Suzanne G. Orchard
Raj C. Shah
Kerry M. Sheets
Anne M. Murray
Joanne Ryan
author_facet Zimu Wu
Alice Owen
Robyn L. Woods
Zhen Zhou
Trevor T.‐J. Chong
Suzanne G. Orchard
Raj C. Shah
Kerry M. Sheets
Anne M. Murray
Joanne Ryan
author_sort Zimu Wu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract INTRODUCTION This study examined whether the waist circumference–body mass index ratio (WBR), lean body mass (LBM), and fat body mass (FBM) were associated with dementia or cognitive change. METHODS We analyzed data from >17,000 individuals aged 65 to 98 years at enrollment. LBM and FBM were estimated using the Hume equation. Dementia was determined according to DSM‐IV. Global cognition, verbal fluency, episodic memory, and psychomotor speed were assessed across 11 years. Cox and mixed‐effects models were used to examine the associations with dementia and cognitive change. RESULTS WBR was positively associated with dementia (Q4 versus Q1, hazard ratio [HR]: 1.29, p = 0.004) and cognitive decline (coefficients:−0.122 to −0.025, p < 0.05). Dementia risk was 15% to 38% lower for individuals in higher quartiles of LBM and FBM (Q2 to Q4), compared to Q1 (p < 0.05). Higher LBM and FBM were associated with slower cognitive decline (coefficients: 0.035 to 0.203, p < 0.05), except for verbal fluency. DISCUSSION Higher LBM and FBM in later life may be associated with better cognition, while abdominal fat could be a risk factor. Highligths Higher WBR is associated with greater dementia risk, only in men. Higher WBR is associated with faster cognitive decline. Greater LBM and FBM are associated with lower dementia risk. Greater LBM and FBM are associated with slower cognitive decline. Central adiposity may be a risk factor for cognitive impairment in older adults.
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spelling doaj-art-e4c28041ed694bd7a32aaf21a16034052025-08-20T03:30:28ZengWileyAlzheimer’s & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring2352-87292025-04-01172n/an/a10.1002/dad2.70135Associations of abdominal adiposity, lean body mass, and fat body mass with dementia and cognitive change in older ageZimu Wu0Alice Owen1Robyn L. Woods2Zhen Zhou3Trevor T.‐J. Chong4Suzanne G. Orchard5Raj C. Shah6Kerry M. Sheets7Anne M. Murray8Joanne Ryan9School of Public Health and Preventive MedicineMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustraliaSchool of Public Health and Preventive MedicineMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustraliaSchool of Public Health and Preventive MedicineMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustraliaSchool of Public Health and Preventive MedicineMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustraliaTurner Institute for Brain and Mental HealthMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustraliaSchool of Public Health and Preventive MedicineMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustraliaDepartment of Family & Preventive Medicine and Rush Alzheimer's Disease CenterRush University Medical CenterChicago Illinois USADivision of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine, Department of MedicineHennepin HealthcareMinneapolisMinnesotaUSABerman Center for Outcomes & Clinical ResearchMinneapolis Minnesota USASchool of Public Health and Preventive MedicineMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustraliaAbstract INTRODUCTION This study examined whether the waist circumference–body mass index ratio (WBR), lean body mass (LBM), and fat body mass (FBM) were associated with dementia or cognitive change. METHODS We analyzed data from >17,000 individuals aged 65 to 98 years at enrollment. LBM and FBM were estimated using the Hume equation. Dementia was determined according to DSM‐IV. Global cognition, verbal fluency, episodic memory, and psychomotor speed were assessed across 11 years. Cox and mixed‐effects models were used to examine the associations with dementia and cognitive change. RESULTS WBR was positively associated with dementia (Q4 versus Q1, hazard ratio [HR]: 1.29, p = 0.004) and cognitive decline (coefficients:−0.122 to −0.025, p < 0.05). Dementia risk was 15% to 38% lower for individuals in higher quartiles of LBM and FBM (Q2 to Q4), compared to Q1 (p < 0.05). Higher LBM and FBM were associated with slower cognitive decline (coefficients: 0.035 to 0.203, p < 0.05), except for verbal fluency. DISCUSSION Higher LBM and FBM in later life may be associated with better cognition, while abdominal fat could be a risk factor. Highligths Higher WBR is associated with greater dementia risk, only in men. Higher WBR is associated with faster cognitive decline. Greater LBM and FBM are associated with lower dementia risk. Greater LBM and FBM are associated with slower cognitive decline. Central adiposity may be a risk factor for cognitive impairment in older adults.https://doi.org/10.1002/dad2.70135body mass indexcognitive functiondementiafat body masslean body masswaist circumference
spellingShingle Zimu Wu
Alice Owen
Robyn L. Woods
Zhen Zhou
Trevor T.‐J. Chong
Suzanne G. Orchard
Raj C. Shah
Kerry M. Sheets
Anne M. Murray
Joanne Ryan
Associations of abdominal adiposity, lean body mass, and fat body mass with dementia and cognitive change in older age
Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring
body mass index
cognitive function
dementia
fat body mass
lean body mass
waist circumference
title Associations of abdominal adiposity, lean body mass, and fat body mass with dementia and cognitive change in older age
title_full Associations of abdominal adiposity, lean body mass, and fat body mass with dementia and cognitive change in older age
title_fullStr Associations of abdominal adiposity, lean body mass, and fat body mass with dementia and cognitive change in older age
title_full_unstemmed Associations of abdominal adiposity, lean body mass, and fat body mass with dementia and cognitive change in older age
title_short Associations of abdominal adiposity, lean body mass, and fat body mass with dementia and cognitive change in older age
title_sort associations of abdominal adiposity lean body mass and fat body mass with dementia and cognitive change in older age
topic body mass index
cognitive function
dementia
fat body mass
lean body mass
waist circumference
url https://doi.org/10.1002/dad2.70135
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