Kim, SujinKim, YongjooPark, Sang2016-03-012016Kim, Sujin, Yongjoo Kim, and Sang Min Park. 2016. “Body Mass Index and Decline of Cognitive Function.” PLoS ONE 11 (2): e0148908. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0148908. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0148908.1932-6203http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:25658542Background: The association between body mass index (BMI) and cognitive function is a public health issue. This study investigated the relationship between obesity and cognitive impairment which was assessed by the Korean version of the Mini-mental state examination (K-MMSE) among mid- and old-aged people in South Korea. Methods: A cohort of 5,125 adults, age 45 or older with normal cognitive function (K-MMSE≥24) at baseline (2006), was derived from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA) 2006~2012. The association between baseline BMI and risk of cognitive impairment was assessed using multiple logistic regression models. We also assessed baseline BMI and change of cognitive function over the 6-year follow-up using multiple linear regressions. Results: During the follow-up, 358 cases of severe cognitive impairment were identified. Those with baseline BMI≥25 kg/m2 than normal-weight (18.5≤BMI<23 kg/m2) were marginally less likely to experience the development of severe cognitive impairment (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.52 to 1.03; Ptrend = 0.03). This relationship was stronger among female (aOR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.40 to 1.00; Ptrend = 0.01) and participants with low-normal K-MMSE score (MMSE: 24–26) at baseline (aOR = 0.59, 95% CI = 0.35 to 0.98; Ptrend<0.01). In addition, a slower decline of cognitive function was observed in obese individuals than those with normal weight, especially among women and those with low-normal K-MMSE score at baseline. Conclusion: In this nationally representative study, we found that obesity was associated with lower risk of cognitive decline among mid- and old-age population.en-USBiology and Life SciencesNeuroscienceCognitive ScienceCognitive NeuroscienceCognitive NeurologyCognitive ImpairmentMedicine and Health SciencesNeurologyPhysiologyPhysiological ParametersBody WeightObesityBody Mass IndexMental Health and PsychiatryDementiaPeople and PlacesPopulation GroupingsAge GroupsAdultsSocial SciencesEconomicsHealth EconomicsHealth InsuranceHealth CareVascular DementiaGeographical LocationsAsiaJournal Article2016-03-0110.1371/journal.pone.0148908