Year: 2016
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Amy Morgan, AdvisorExecutive function (EF) is essential for older adults to maintain independence and high quality of life (Lezak, Howieson, & Loring, 2004).Normal cognitive aging is accompanied by decrements in EF (Haug & Eggers, 1991;Raz et al., 1997;Salat et al., 2005).Body fat is thought to mediate this relationship, potentially through the activity of hormones or inflammation.However, the extent of the relationship is not well understood.The aim of this study was to determine whether percentage body fat (PBF) would yield a stronger relationship to EF in older adults than would body mass index (BMI).Participants were adults 60 years and older with no history of mental illness and who were not currently taking medications that could influence the central nervous system.Individuals were screened for mild cognitive impairment using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment.Participants completed the d2 test and modified flanker task to assess EF.In addition, the participants' body composition was estimated through the use of air displacement plethysmography (ADP) and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA).Bivariate correlations between PBF and EF test scores, as well as BMI and EF test scores were examined.Multiple and linear regression analyses were calculated to predict the amount of variance in cognitive tests scores as a result of the dependent variables.PBF, using two different methods, and BMI were not significantly correlated to EF.Further research is necessary to clarify the nature of the relationships among body fat, BMI, and cognitive function.iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the people who helped me reach this point.Although I am listed as the sole author of this thesis, the end result is truly a collaboration that I could not have hoped to complete alone.First, I would like to thank my advisor, Dr. Morgan, for her unrelenting support through the ups and downs of this thesis.Without her knowledge, experience, and patience I would have no chance of completing this project.I would also like to thank my committee, Dr. Darby for the feedback and advice throughout the study and Dr. Fullenkamp for providing the computer program that allowed me to use the executive function tests.Thank you to my classmates, especially Emily
Author: Amy L Ruthenberg
Institution: Bowling Green State University
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2346631553