Nutrition and cognitive deficit in the elderly: a population study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the association between a healthy diet indicator and the prevalence of cognitive impairment in the elderly.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Population based.


METHODS
A total of 1651 subjects (560 men and 1091 women) including everybody aged 70 y or more, and a random sample of people (about 40%) aged 65-69 y resident in four rural towns in the province of Pavia, Italy in 1992-1993.


METHODS
The healthy diet indicator based on the WHO guidelines for the prevention of chronic diseases was calculated as reported by Huijbregts et al (1998; Eur. J. Clin. Nutr. 52, 826-831). Food intake was estimated by means of a 180-item food-frequency questionnaire and nutrient intake was calculated using the food composition database compiled for epidemiologic studies in Italy. The cognitive function was categorized into four levels-normal cognition, mild, moderate and severe cognitive deficit-according to the neuropsychological test score. The relationship between the dietary and the ordinal cognitive function variables was studied using the proportional-odds model.


RESULTS
After adjustment for age, sex, education, total energy intake, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and physical activity, a better healthy diet score was associated with a lower prevalence of cognitive deficit. The cumulative odds ratio was 0.85 (95% CI 0.77-0.93).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest an association between a globally satisfactory diet and better cognitive performance in the elderly. However, the specific aspects of a 'healthy diet' for the elderly should be clarified.


BACKGROUND
National Research Council (Italy), 'Invecchiamento' Project no. 95.01048.PF40.
Corrêa Leite
M L
ML
Department of Epidemiology and Medical Informatics, Institute of Advanced Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council, Milan, Italy.
Nicolosi
A
A
Cristina
S
S
Hauser
W A
WA
Nappi
G
G
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009752:Nutritional Status; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires