Comparative Evaluation of Cognitive Function among Indian Obese and Non-Obese Middle-Aged Subjects

Background: Obesity has become one of the common problems encountered by people of the present day. This condition is often accompanied by cardiovascular problems like hypertension, hyperlipidemia, is chemic heart disease. Also, that the relationship between obesity and cognitive impairment plays an important role in the development of neurodegenerative disorders. But reports on the association between obesity and working memory lack scientific evidence. So, the present study planned to assess the influence of obesity on cognitive functions and compare among obese and non - obese individuals.

Objective: This study evaluated the changes in cognitive functions comparative between samples of obese and non-obese individuals from India.

Methods: Based on the Body Mass Index (BMI), the participants were classified into 2 groups. Cognitive screening was done using MINI MENTAL STATE EXAMINATION and the parameters like level of orientation, registration, recall, language, copy art skills were analyzed and scores were calculated. The data was statistically analyzed using SPSS version 23 and the independent sample t test was used to analyze the differences in cognitive functions.

Results: The study reported that there was statistically significant decline in language, recall and copy art skills in obese individuals compared to non-obese group.

Conclusion: The study concluded an innovative finding that obesity is associated with impaired cognitive performance pertaining to recall, language and copy art and overall decreased MMSE scores indicating that accelerated cognitive decline and neurodegenerative pathologies such as dementia in later life is influenced by changes in body weight. Interventions that target mid-life obesity may be helpful in reducing the cognitive risks associated with obesity.