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Abstract
When other measures for material conditions are scarce or unreliable, the use of height is now common to evaluate economic conditions during economic development. However, throughout US economic development, height data by gender have been slow to emerge. Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, female and male statures remained constant. Agricultural workers had taller statures than workers in other occupations, and the female agricultural height premium was over twice that of males. For both females and males, individuals with fairer complexions were taller than their darker complexioned counterparts. Gender collectively had the greatest explanatory effect associated with stature, followed by age and nativity. Socioeconomic status and birth period had the smallest collective effects with stature.
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Luo L, Xie F, Wang Y, Qin LQ, Yin JY, Wan Z. Taller adult height is associated with better performance of cognitive trajectories in Chinese over 45 years old: Evidence from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; 21:732-740. [PMID: 34134174 DOI: 10.1111/ggi.14203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
AIM The association between adult height and follow-up cognition requires an update in China. We aimed to examine the association between baseline height and follow-up cognitive trajectories in Chinese subjects from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). METHODS A total of 6508 adults aged 45 years or older from the CHARLS were included for analysis. Latent class growth modeling was used to determine cognitive trajectories of 2011, 2013 and 2015. Multivariable linear regression and logistic regression models were used to examine the association between baseline adult height and cognitive performance and trajectories, respectively. RESULTS At baseline, an increment of 1 SD (8.3 cm) of height was associated with a higher global cognitive score (β = 0.492, 95% CI, 0.348-0.636), verbal episodic memory (β = 0.155, 95% CI, 0.086-0.224) and mental status (β = 0.337, 95% CI, 0.225-0.449). These associations were still observed even when stratified by sex. Prospectively, for females, the third quartile of height level (i.e., 155 to 158 cm) was associated with a better global cognitive function trajectory (OR = 1.627, P = 0.001, P for trend = 0.009) and mental status trajectory (OR = 1.456, P = 0.012, P for trend = 0.047); and the tallest height level (i.e., 159 cm or taller) was related to a better verbal episodic memory trajectory (OR = 1.574, P = 0.017). For males, no associations were observed. CONCLUSION Increased stature might be associated with better cognitive trajectories for subjects in China. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; 21: 732-740.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Luo
- School of Public Health, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Fangfei Xie
- The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yun Wang
- The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Li-Qiang Qin
- School of Public Health, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jie-Yun Yin
- School of Public Health, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Zhongxiao Wan
- School of Public Health, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
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3
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Educational level and its relationship with body height and popliteal height in Chilean male workers. J Biosoc Sci 2019; 52:734-745. [PMID: 31762424 DOI: 10.1017/s0021932019000750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
A secular trend in body height has been experienced in many nations and populations, hypothesized to be the result of better living conditions. Educational level has been shown to be closely associated with body height. This study examined the changes in body height and popliteal height in a group of adult Chilean male workers by age cohort and the relationship of these with educational level. The body heights and popliteal heights of 1404 male workers from the Valparaíso and Metropolitan regions of Chile were measured in 2016. The sample was grouped by level of education (primary, secondary, technical and university) and age (21-30, 31-40 and 41-50 years). Robust ANOVA and post-hoc analyses using a one-step modified M-estimation of location were conducted based on bootstrap resampling. Both body height and popliteal height increased from the older to the younger age cohort. The largest increase was from the 41-50 to the 21-30 group, with a 1.1% increase in body height and 1.7% increase in popliteal height. When educational level was introduced into the analysis there was a marked increase in both body height and popliteal height for each cohort, but only in primary- and secondary-educated workers. Despite showing an overall increase in body height and popliteal height, younger workers with the highest levels of education showed fewer differences between them than did older workers with less education. The differences were larger in the older than in the younger cohorts. Similarly, this trend was less clear in workers with higher levels of education (technical and university), probably because of a dilution effect caused by increased access to higher education by workers in the lower income quintiles.
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Wang XJ, Xu W, Li JQ, Cao XP, Tan L, Yu JT. Early-Life Risk Factors for Dementia and Cognitive Impairment in Later Life: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Alzheimers Dis 2019; 67:221-229. [PMID: 30636739 DOI: 10.3233/jad-180856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Jie Wang
- Department of Neurology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Wei Xu
- College of Medicine and Pharmaceutics, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Jie-Qiong Li
- Department of Neurology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Xi-Peng Cao
- Clinical Research Center, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Lan Tan
- Department of Neurology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- College of Medicine and Pharmaceutics, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Jin-Tai Yu
- Department of Neurology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, China
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Kobayashi LC, Berkman LF, Wagner RG, Kahn K, Tollman S, Subramanian SV. Education modifies the relationship between height and cognitive function in a cross-sectional population-based study of older adults in Rural South Africa. Eur J Epidemiol 2018; 34:131-139. [PMID: 30306424 DOI: 10.1007/s10654-018-0453-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
We aimed to estimate the relationship between height (a measure of early-life cumulative net nutrition) and later-life cognitive function among older rural South African adults, and whether education modified this relationship. Data were from baseline in-person interviews with 5059 adults ≥ 40 years in the population-based "Health and Aging in Africa: A Longitudinal Study of an INDEPTH Community in South Africa" (HAALSI) study in Agincourt sub-district, South Africa, in 2015. Linear regression was used to estimate the relationship between height quintile and latent cognitive function z-score (representing episodic memory, time orientation, and numeracy), with adjustment for life course covariates and a height-by-education interaction. Mean (SD) height was 162.7 (8.9) cm. Nearly half the sample had no formal education (46%; 2307/5059). Mean age- and sex-adjusted cognitive z-scores increased from - 0.68 (95% CI: - 0.76 to - 0.61) in those with no education in the shortest height quintile to 0.62 (95% CI: 0.52-0.71) in those with at least 8 years of education in the tallest height quintile. There was a linear height disparity in cognitive z-scores for those with no formal education (adjusted β = 0.10; 95% CI: 0.08-0.13 per height quintile), but no height disparity in cognitive z-scores in those with any level of education. Short stature is associated with poor cognitive function and may be a risk factor for cognitive impairment among older adults living in rural South Africa. The height disparity in cognitive function was negated for older adults who had any level of education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay C Kobayashi
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA. .,Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | - Lisa F Berkman
- Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Cambridge, MA, USA.,MRC-Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Ryan G Wagner
- MRC-Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Umeå Centre for Global Health Research, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Kathleen Kahn
- MRC-Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Umeå Centre for Global Health Research, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Stephen Tollman
- MRC-Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Umeå Centre for Global Health Research, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - S V Subramanian
- Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Cambridge, MA, USA
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6
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Prince MJ, Acosta D, Guerra M, Huang Y, Jimenez-Velazquez IZ, Llibre Rodriguez JJ, Salas A, Sosa AL, Dewey ME, Guerchet MM, Liu Z, Llibre Guerra JJ, Prina AM. Leg length, skull circumference, and the incidence of dementia in Latin America and China: A 10/66 population-based cohort study. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0195133. [PMID: 29649337 PMCID: PMC5896923 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0195133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2017] [Accepted: 03/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Adult leg length is influenced by nutrition in the first few years of life. Adult head circumference is an indicator of brain growth. Cross-sectional studies indicate inverse associations with dementia risk, but there have been few prospective studies. Methods Population-based cohort studies in urban sites in Cuba, Dominican Republic Puerto Rico and Venezuela, and rural and urban sites in Peru, Mexico and China. Sociodemographic and risk factor questionnaires were administered to all participants, and anthropometric measures taken, with ascertainment of incident dementia, and mortality, three to five years later. Results Of the original at risk cohort of 13,587 persons aged 65 years and over, 2,443 (18.0%) were lost to follow-up; 10,540 persons with skull circumference assessments were followed up for 40,466 person years, and 10,400 with leg length assessments were followed up for 39,954 person years. There were 1,009 cases of incident dementia, and 1,605 dementia free deaths. The fixed effect pooled meta-analysed adjusted subhazard ratio (ASHR) for leg length (highest vs. lowest quarter) was 0.80 (95% CI, 0.66–0.97) and for skull circumference was 1.02 (95% CI, 0.84–1.25), with no heterogeneity of effect between sites (I2 = 0%). Leg length measurements tended to be shorter at follow-up, particularly for those with baseline cognitive impairment and dementia. However, leg length change was not associated with dementia incidence (ASHR, per cm 1.006, 95% CI 0.992–1.020), and the effect of leg length was little altered after adjusting for baseline frailty (ASHR 0.82, 95% CI 0.67–0.99). A priori hypotheses regarding effect modification by gender or educational level were not supported. However, the effect of skull circumference was modified by gender (M vs F ASHR 0.86, 95% CI 0.75–0.98), but in the opposite direction to that hypothesized with a greater protective effect of larger skull dimensions in men. Conclusions Consistent findings across settings provide quite strong support for an association between adult leg length and dementia incidence in late-life. Leg length is a relatively stable marker of early life nutritional programming, which may confer brain reserve and protect against neurodegeneration in later life through mitigation of cardiometabolic risk. Further clarification of these associations could inform predictive models for future dementia incidence in the context of secular trends in adult height, and invigorate global efforts to improve childhood nutrition, growth and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin J. Prince
- Health Service and Population Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Daisy Acosta
- Universidad Nacional Pedro Henriquez Ureña (UNPHU), Internal Medicine Department, Geriatric Section, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
| | - Mariella Guerra
- Psychogeriatric Unit, National Institute of Mental Health “Honorio Delgado Hideyo Noguchi”, Lima, Peru and Instituto de la Memoria y Desordenes Relacionados, Lima, Perú
| | - Yueqin Huang
- Peking University, Institute of Mental Health. Beijing, China
| | - Ivonne Z. Jimenez-Velazquez
- Internal Medicine Dept., Geriatrics Program, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | | | - Aquiles Salas
- Medicine Department, Caracas University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Ana Luisa Sosa
- Laboratory of the Dementias, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery of Mexico, Autonomous National University of Mexico. Delegacion Tlalpan, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Michael E. Dewey
- Health Service and Population Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Maelenn M. Guerchet
- Health Service and Population Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Zhaorui Liu
- Peking University, Institute of Mental Health. Beijing, China
| | | | - A. Matthew Prina
- Health Service and Population Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
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7
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Lane CA, Parker TD, Cash DM, Macpherson K, Donnachie E, Murray-Smith H, Barnes A, Barker S, Beasley DG, Bras J, Brown D, Burgos N, Byford M, Jorge Cardoso M, Carvalho A, Collins J, De Vita E, Dickson JC, Epie N, Espak M, Henley SMD, Hoskote C, Hutel M, Klimova J, Malone IB, Markiewicz P, Melbourne A, Modat M, Schrag A, Shah S, Sharma N, Sudre CH, Thomas DL, Wong A, Zhang H, Hardy J, Zetterberg H, Ourselin S, Crutch SJ, Kuh D, Richards M, Fox NC, Schott JM. Study protocol: Insight 46 - a neuroscience sub-study of the MRC National Survey of Health and Development. BMC Neurol 2017; 17:75. [PMID: 28420323 PMCID: PMC5395844 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-017-0846-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2017] [Accepted: 03/21/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increasing age is the biggest risk factor for dementia, of which Alzheimer's disease is the commonest cause. The pathological changes underpinning Alzheimer's disease are thought to develop at least a decade prior to the onset of symptoms. Molecular positron emission tomography and multi-modal magnetic resonance imaging allow key pathological processes underpinning cognitive impairment - including β-amyloid depostion, vascular disease, network breakdown and atrophy - to be assessed repeatedly and non-invasively. This enables potential determinants of dementia to be delineated earlier, and therefore opens a pre-symptomatic window where intervention may prevent the onset of cognitive symptoms. METHODS/DESIGN This paper outlines the clinical, cognitive and imaging protocol of "Insight 46", a neuroscience sub-study of the MRC National Survey of Health and Development. This is one of the oldest British birth cohort studies and has followed 5362 individuals since their birth in England, Scotland and Wales during one week in March 1946. These individuals have been tracked in 24 waves of data collection incorporating a wide range of health and functional measures, including repeat measures of cognitive function. Now aged 71 years, a small fraction have overt dementia, but estimates suggest that ~1/3 of individuals in this age group may be in the preclinical stages of Alzheimer's disease. Insight 46 is recruiting 500 study members selected at random from those who attended a clinical visit at 60-64 years and on whom relevant lifecourse data are available. We describe the sub-study design and protocol which involves a prospective two time-point (0, 24 month) data collection covering clinical, neuropsychological, β-amyloid positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, biomarker and genetic information. Data collection started in 2015 (age 69) and aims to be completed in 2019 (age 73). DISCUSSION Through the integration of data on the socioeconomic environment and on physical, psychological and cognitive function from 0 to 69 years, coupled with genetics, structural and molecular imaging, and intensive cognitive and neurological phenotyping, Insight 46 aims to identify lifetime factors which influence brain health and cognitive ageing, with particular focus on Alzheimer's disease and cerebrovascular disease. This will provide an evidence base for the rational design of disease-modifying trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher A. Lane
- Dementia Research Centre, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Thomas D. Parker
- Dementia Research Centre, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Dave M. Cash
- Dementia Research Centre, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
- Translational Imaging Group, Centre for Medical Image Computing, University College London, London, UK
| | - Kirsty Macpherson
- Dementia Research Centre, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Elizabeth Donnachie
- Leonard Wolfson Experimental Neurology Centre, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Heidi Murray-Smith
- Dementia Research Centre, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Anna Barnes
- Institute of Nuclear Medicine, University College London Hospitals, London, UK
| | - Suzie Barker
- Dementia Research Centre, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Daniel G. Beasley
- Translational Imaging Group, Centre for Medical Image Computing, University College London, London, UK
| | - Jose Bras
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Medical Sciences and Institute of Biomedicine - iBiMED, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - David Brown
- Institute of Nuclear Medicine, University College London Hospitals, London, UK
| | - Ninon Burgos
- Translational Imaging Group, Centre for Medical Image Computing, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - M. Jorge Cardoso
- Translational Imaging Group, Centre for Medical Image Computing, University College London, London, UK
| | - Ana Carvalho
- Institute of Nuclear Medicine, University College London Hospitals, London, UK
| | - Jessica Collins
- Dementia Research Centre, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Enrico De Vita
- Lysholm Department of Neuroradiology, The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London, UK
- Neuroradiological Academic Unit, Department of Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - John C. Dickson
- Institute of Nuclear Medicine, University College London Hospitals, London, UK
| | - Norah Epie
- Dementia Research Centre, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Miklos Espak
- Translational Imaging Group, Centre for Medical Image Computing, University College London, London, UK
| | - Susie M. D. Henley
- Dementia Research Centre, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Chandrashekar Hoskote
- Lysholm Department of Neuroradiology, The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London, UK
| | - Michael Hutel
- Dementia Research Centre, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
- Translational Imaging Group, Centre for Medical Image Computing, University College London, London, UK
| | - Jana Klimova
- Dementia Research Centre, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Ian B. Malone
- Dementia Research Centre, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Pawel Markiewicz
- Translational Imaging Group, Centre for Medical Image Computing, University College London, London, UK
| | - Andrew Melbourne
- Translational Imaging Group, Centre for Medical Image Computing, University College London, London, UK
| | - Marc Modat
- Dementia Research Centre, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
- Translational Imaging Group, Centre for Medical Image Computing, University College London, London, UK
| | - Anette Schrag
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Sachit Shah
- Lysholm Department of Neuroradiology, The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London, UK
- Neuroradiological Academic Unit, Department of Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Nikhil Sharma
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at UCL, London, UK
- National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK
| | - Carole H. Sudre
- Dementia Research Centre, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
- Translational Imaging Group, Centre for Medical Image Computing, University College London, London, UK
| | - David L. Thomas
- Leonard Wolfson Experimental Neurology Centre, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
- Neuroradiological Academic Unit, Department of Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Andrew Wong
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at UCL, London, UK
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Computer Science and Centre for Medical Image Computing, University College London, London, UK
| | - John Hardy
- Reta Lila Weston Research Laboratories, Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Sebastien Ourselin
- Translational Imaging Group, Centre for Medical Image Computing, University College London, London, UK
| | - Sebastian J. Crutch
- Dementia Research Centre, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Diana Kuh
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at UCL, London, UK
| | | | - Nick C. Fox
- Dementia Research Centre, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Jonathan M. Schott
- Dementia Research Centre, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
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8
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Pereira VH, Costa PS, Santos NC, Cunha PG, Correia-Neves M, Palha JA, Sousa N. Adult Body Height Is a Good Predictor of Different Dimensions of Cognitive Function in Aged Individuals: A Cross-Sectional Study. Front Aging Neurosci 2016; 8:217. [PMID: 27695413 PMCID: PMC5025434 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2016.00217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2016] [Accepted: 09/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Adult height, weight, and adiposity measures have been suggested by some studies to be predictors of depression, cognitive impairment, and dementia. However, the presence of confounding factors and the lack of a thorough neuropsychological evaluation in many of these studies have precluded a definitive conclusion about the influence of anthropometric measures in cognition and depression. In this study we aimed to assess the value of height, weight, and abdominal perimeter to predict cognitive impairment and depressive symptoms in aged individuals. Methods and Findings: Cross-sectional study performed between 2010 and 2012 in the Portuguese general community. A total of 1050 participants were included in the study and randomly selected from local area health authority registries. The cohort was representative of the general Portuguese population with respect to age (above 50 years of age) and gender. Cognitive function was assessed using a battery of tests grouped in two dimensions: general executive function and memory. Two-step hierarchical multiple linear regression models were conducted to determine the predictive value of anthropometric measures in cognitive performance and mood before and after correction for possible confounding factors (gender, age, school years, physical activity, alcohol consumption, and smoking habits). We found single associations of weight, height, body mass index, abdominal perimeter, and age with executive function, memory and depressive symptoms. However, when included in a predictive model adjusted for gender, age, school years, and lifestyle factors only height prevailed as a significant predictor of general executive function (β = 0.139; p < 0.001) and memory (β = 0.099; p < 0.05). No relation was found between mood and any of the anthropometric measures studied. Conclusions and Relevance: Height is an independent predictor of cognitive function in late-life and its effects on the general and executive function and memory are independent of age, weight, education level, gender, and lifestyle factors. Altogether, our data suggests that modulators of adult height during childhood may irreversibly contribute to cognitive function in adult life and that height should be used in models to predict cognitive performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vitor H Pereira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute, (ICVS) School of Health Sciences, University of MinhoBraga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate LaboratoryBraga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Patrício S Costa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute, (ICVS) School of Health Sciences, University of MinhoBraga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate LaboratoryBraga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Nadine C Santos
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute, (ICVS) School of Health Sciences, University of MinhoBraga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate LaboratoryBraga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Pedro G Cunha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute, (ICVS) School of Health Sciences, University of MinhoBraga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate LaboratoryBraga/Guimarães, Portugal; Centro Hospitalar do Alto Ave - EPEGuimarães, Portugal
| | - Margarida Correia-Neves
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute, (ICVS) School of Health Sciences, University of MinhoBraga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate LaboratoryBraga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Joana A Palha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute, (ICVS) School of Health Sciences, University of MinhoBraga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate LaboratoryBraga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute, (ICVS) School of Health Sciences, University of MinhoBraga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate LaboratoryBraga/Guimarães, Portugal; Clinical Academic CenterBraga, Portugal
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9
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Eriksson JG, Osmond C, Perälä MM, Salonen MK, Simonen M, Pohjolainen P, Kajantie E, Rantanen T, von Bonsdorff MB. Prenatal and childhood growth and physical performance in old age--findings from the Helsinki Birth Cohort Study 1934-1944. AGE (DORDRECHT, NETHERLANDS) 2015; 37:108. [PMID: 26499818 PMCID: PMC5005845 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-015-9846-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2015] [Accepted: 10/14/2015] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Health in adulthood is in part a consequence of development and growth taking place during sensitive periods in early life. It has not been explored previously whether early growth is associated with physical performance in old age from a life course perspective taking into account health-related behavior, biological risk factors, and early life experiences. At a mean age of 71 years, physical performance was assessed using the Senior Fitness Test (SFT) in 1078 individuals belonging to the Helsinki Birth Cohort Study. We used multiple linear regression analysis to assess the association between the SFT physical fitness scores and individual life course measurements. Several adult characteristics were associated with physical performance including socioeconomic status, lifestyle factors, and adult anthropometry. Higher birth weight and length were associated with better physical performance, even after adjusting for potential confounders (all p values <0.05). The strongest individual association between life course measurements and physical performance in old age was found for adult body fat percentage. However, prenatal growth was independently associated with physical performance seven decades later. These findings suggest that physical performance in old age is at least partly programmed in early life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johan G Eriksson
- Chronic Disease Prevention Unit, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland.
- Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland.
- Department of General Practice and Primary Health, Care and Helsinki University Hospital, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 20, 00014, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Clive Osmond
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK
| | - Mia-Maria Perälä
- Chronic Disease Prevention Unit, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
- Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Minna K Salonen
- Chronic Disease Prevention Unit, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
- Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mika Simonen
- Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Social Research, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Eero Kajantie
- Chronic Disease Prevention Unit, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
- Children's Hospital, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, MRC Oulu, Oulu University Hospital and University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Taina Rantanen
- Gerontology Research Center and Department of Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | - Mikaela B von Bonsdorff
- Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland
- Gerontology Research Center and Department of Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
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