Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews | 2021
Relationship between Central Obesity and the incidence of Cognitive Impairment and Dementia from Cohort Studies Involving 5,060,687 Participants
Abstract
Central obesity, measured by waist circumference (WC) or waist-to-hip ratio, has been linked with metabolic dysfunction and structural abnormalities in the brain, which are risk factors for cognitive impairment and dementia. The current analysis was performed to understand the influence of central obesity on the incidence of cognitive impairment and dementia. It included 21 studies involving 5,060,687 participants and showed that a high WC in individuals was associated with a greater risk of cognitive impairment and dementia (HR\u2009=\u20091.10, 95% CI: 1.05-1.15), compared to those with a low WC. Sub-group analysis showed that a high WC among individuals older than 65 years old had an impact on cognitive impairment and dementia (HR\u2009=\u20091.13, 95% CI: 1.08-1.19), whereas no association existed among those younger than 65 years old (HR\u2009=\u20091.04, 95% CI: 0.93-1.16). Furthermore, dose-response meta-analysis confirmed the finding that a high WC was a risk factor for cognitive impairment and dementia. In conclusion, central obesity, as measured by WC, was associated with a risk of cognitive impairment and dementia.