title: Cognitive function and associated factors among older people in Taiwan: age and sex differences.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to examine cognitive function and the risk and the protective factors by age and sex among Taiwanese older people.
  
  
  METHODS
  The data were from a nation-representative panel of older people in Taiwan. The participants completing both the 2003 and 2007 waves were included for analysis in this study (n=3228). Descriptive analysis and generalized linear model were applied, and the samples were stratified by age groups and by sex.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The factors related to higher cognitive function at the intercept included being younger, male, higher education, and doing unpaid work. At the time slope, the age effect and physical function difficulties would reduce the cognitive function across time, while education and providing informational support would increase the cognitive function across time. There were age- and sex-differences in the factors related to cognitive function, particularly on the working status and social participation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Different health promotion strategies to target these populations should be accordingly developed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Care Administration, Research Center on Health Policy and Management, Asia University, No. 500, Lioufeng Road, Wufeng, Taichung 41354, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Cheng-Lun
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Care Administration, Research Center on Health Policy and Management, Asia University, No. 500, Lioufeng Road, Wufeng, Taichung 41354, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University. Electronic address: gingerhsu@seed.net.tw.
authors.forename: Hui-Chuan
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Hsu
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology*; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D065840:Protective Factors; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012737:Sex Factors; D058992:Social Participation; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013624:Taiwan
keywords: Age difference; Cognitive function; Gender difference; Longitudinal study; Older adults