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Archives of Public Health
Published in: Archives of Public Health 1/2014

Open Access 01-12-2014 | Research

Cognitive function, body mass index and mortality in a rural elderly Chinese cohort

Authors: Sujuan Gao, Yinlong Jin, Frederick W Unverzagt, Yibin Cheng, Liqin Su, Chenkun Wang, Feng Ma, Ann M Hake, Carla Kettler, Chen Chen, Jingyi Liu, Jianchao Bian, Ping Li, Jill R Murrell, Daniel O Clark, Hugh C Hendrie

Published in: Archives of Public Health | Issue 1/2014

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Abstract

Background

Previous studies have shown that poor cognition and low body mass index were associated with increased mortality. But few studies have investigated the association between cognition and mortality across the entire cognitive spectrum while adjusting for BMI. The objective of this study is to examine the associations between cognitive function, BMI and 7-year mortality in a rural elderly Chinese cohort.

Methods

A prospective cohort of 2,000 Chinese age 65 and over from four rural counties in China were followed for 7-years. Cognitive function, BMI and other covariate information were obtained at baseline. Cox’s proportional hazard models were used to determine the effects of cognitive function and BMI on mortality risk.

Results

Of participants enrolled, 473 (23.7%) died during follow-up. Both lower cognitive function (HR = 1.48, p = 0.0049) and lower BMI (HR = 1.6, p < 0.0001) were independently associated with increased mortality risk compared to individuals with average cognitive function and normal weight. Higher cognitive function was associated with lower mortality risk (HR = 0.69, p = 0.0312). We found no significant difference in mortality risk between overweight/obese participants and those with normal weight.

Conclusions

Cognitive function and BMI were independent predictors of mortality risk. Intervention strategies for increasing cognitive function and maintaining adequate BMI may be important in reducing morality risk in the elderly population.
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Metadata
Title
Cognitive function, body mass index and mortality in a rural elderly Chinese cohort
Authors
Sujuan Gao
Yinlong Jin
Frederick W Unverzagt
Yibin Cheng
Liqin Su
Chenkun Wang
Feng Ma
Ann M Hake
Carla Kettler
Chen Chen
Jingyi Liu
Jianchao Bian
Ping Li
Jill R Murrell
Daniel O Clark
Hugh C Hendrie
Publication date
01-12-2014
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Archives of Public Health / Issue 1/2014
Electronic ISSN: 2049-3258
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/2049-3258-72-9

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