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Systematic review of health behavioral risks and cognitive health in older adults

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 November 2009

Yunhwan Lee ,
Joung Hwan Back ,
Jinhee Kim ,
Si-Heon Kim ,
Duk L. Na ,
Hae-Kwan Cheong ,
Chang Hyung Hong  and
Youn Gu Kim
Yunhwan Lee*
Affiliation:
Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea Institute of Aging, Ajou University Medical Center, Suwon, Republic of Korea
Joung Hwan Back
Affiliation:
Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea Institute of Aging, Ajou University Medical Center, Suwon, Republic of Korea
Jinhee Kim
Affiliation:
Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea Institute of Aging, Ajou University Medical Center, Suwon, Republic of Korea
Si-Heon Kim
Affiliation:
Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea
Duk L. Na
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Hae-Kwan Cheong
Affiliation:
Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea
Chang Hyung Hong
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea
Youn Gu Kim
Affiliation:
Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Dr. Yunhwan Lee, Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Ajou University School of Medicine, San 5, Wonchun-dong, Youngtong-gu, Suwon 443-721, Republic of Korea. Phone: +82-31-219-5085; Fax: +82-31-219-5084. Email: yhlee@ajou.ac.kr.
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Abstract

Background: An increasing body of evidence suggests that health behaviors may protect against cognitive impairment and dementia. The purpose of this study was to summarize the current evidence on health behavioral factors predicting cognitive health through a systematic review of the published literature.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, and PsycINFO databases were searched for studies on community representative samples aged 65 and older, with prospective cohort design and multivariate analysis. The outcome – cognitive health – was defined as a continuum of cognitive function ranging from cognitive decline to impairment and dementia, and health behaviors included physical activity, smoking, alcohol drinking, body mass index, and diet and nutrition.

Results: Of 12,105 abstracts identified, 690 relevant full-texts were reviewed. The final yield amounted to 115 articles of which 37 studies were chosen that met the highest standards of quality. Leisure time physical activity, even of moderate level, showed protective effects against dementia, whereas smoking elevated the risk of Alzheimer's disease. Moderate alcohol consumption tended to be protective against cognitive decline and dementia, but nondrinkers and frequent drinkers exhibited a higher risk for dementia and cognitive impairment. Midlife obesity had an adverse effect on cognitive function in later life. Analysis showed vegetable and fish consumption to be of benefit, whereas, persons consuming a diet high in saturated fat had an increased dementia risk.

Conclusion: The review demonstrates accumulating evidence supporting health behavioral effects in reducing the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Results indicate potential benefits of healthy lifestyles in protecting cognitive health in later life.

Keywords

cognitioncognitive declinecognitive impairmentdementiahealth behaviorshealth promotionpreventionsystematic review
Type
Review Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 22 , Issue 2 , March 2010 , pp. 174 - 187
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2009

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