Mild Cognitive Impairment in Obese Elderly

Abstract

ild cognitive impairment (MCI) is an intermediate state between the cognitive changes related to aging and very early dementia. There was a debate about obesity and its relation to cognitive decline; whether it is a protective or a risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia in elderly. This study aimed to find out the association between mild cognitive impairment and obesity in older adults in comparison to non-obese ones. In our study there was no significant relation between obesity and mild cognitive impairment in elderly individuals yet height alone showed a significant positive correlation with the total score of MOCA and with most cognitive domains like abstraction, delayed recall, orientation and executive functions, this means that superior height values are associated with better cognitive performance. Mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) showed a significant positive correlation with the total score of MOCA and naming and this may suggest that higher muscle mass is associated with better global cognition. In this study non obese participants who have DM showed a significant association with mild cognitive impairments while other comorbidities like hypertension, CVD and special habits of medical importance has no relationship to mild cognitive impairment in obese and non-obese subjects.