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


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Lee
Yunhwan
Y
Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea. yhlee@ajou.ac.kr
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Joung Hwan
JH
Kim
Jinhee
J
Kim
Si-Heon
SH
Na
Duk L
DL
Cheong
Hae-Kwan
HK
Hong
Chang Hyung
CH
Kim
Youn Gu
YG
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D003704:Dementia / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology