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Trajectories of general and central obesity beyond middle age in relation to late‐life cognitive decline and dementia
Zhengting Liang, Huibo Qin, Binbin Su, Yanping Bao, Michael V. Vitiello, Gang Hu, Yunhe Wang. Obesity, 2025-01-28
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
Plain-language summary
Abstract Objective The objective was to evaluate the longitudinal patterns of central and general obesity, identify their genetic and behavioral risk determinants, and investigate the association of distinct obesity trajectories beyond middle age with subsequent cognitive decline and the risk of developing dementia in late life. Methods Using a nationally representative, longitudinal, community‐based cohort, we examined trajectory patterns of obesity over a 14‐year span beyond middle age employing latent mixture modeling. We then evaluated their relationship with subsequent cognitive decline through linear mixed models and with the risk of developing dementia using Cox models, adjusting for confounding variables. Results Among the 4751 eligible participants (mean age, 58.7 [SD 8.1] years; 57% female), our analysis identified five distinct BMI trajectories and four WC trajectories spanning a 14‐year period. In comparison with individuals in the low‐stable BMI group, characterized by a consistent and healthy body weight (range, 22.8–22.9 kg/m2), those in the high‐stable group, maintaining a stable obesity status (range, 34.3–35.4 kg/m2), exhibited an elevated risk of developing dementia (odds ratio [OR], 1.43; 95% CI: 1.02 to 2.00) and experienced a more accelerated cognitive decline over 6 years (difference in 6‐year decline, −0.11 SD [95% CI: −0.18 to −0.03]). Similarly, when compared with participants in the low‐stable WC group, indicating a stable and healthy WC (range, 76–79 cm), those in the high‐increasing WC group, showing an increasing trend (range, 115–122 cm), demonstrated an increased risk of developing dementia (OR, 1.57, 95% CI: 1.01 to 2.49) and experienced a swifter cognitive decline (OR: −0.18 [95% CI: −0.28 to −0.07]). Conclusions General and central obesity trajectories beyond midlife with persistently high or increasing patterns were significantly associated with an increased risk of developing cognitive decline and dementia in late life. Longitudinal obesity patterns may assist in precise identification of older adults at risk of developing cognitive impairment for targeted intervention.
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
APA 7th
Liang, Z., Qin, H., Su, B., Bao, Y., Vitiello, M. V., Hu, G., et al. (2025). Trajectories of general and central obesity beyond middle age in relation to late‐life cognitive decline and dementia. Obesity. https://doi.org/10.1002/oby.24208
Vancouver
Liang Z, Qin H, Su B, Bao Y, Vitiello MV, Hu G, et al. Trajectories of general and central obesity beyond middle age in relation to late‐life cognitive decline and dementia. Obesity. 2025. doi:10.1002/oby.24208. PMID: 39873393.
BibTeX
@article{liang2025-39873393,
author = {Liang, Zhengting and Qin, Huibo and Su, Binbin and Bao, Yanping and Vitiello, Michael V. and Hu, Gang and Wang, Yunhe},
title = {{Trajectories of general and central obesity beyond middle age in relation to late‐life cognitive decline and dementia}},
journal = {Obesity},
year = {2025},
doi = {10.1002/oby.24208},
pmid = {39873393},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1002/oby.24208}
}
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. The record names 7 authors; APA and Vancouver show the first six, BibTeX and the downloads carry all of them. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
Key findings
- Results Among the 4751 eligible participants (mean age, 58.7 [SD 8.1] years; 57% female), our analysis identified five distinct BMI trajectories and four WC trajectories spanning a 14‐year period.
- Similarly, when compared with participants in the low‐stable WC group, indicating a stable and healthy WC (range, 76–79 cm), those in the high‐increasing WC group, showing an increasing trend (range, 115–122 cm), demonstrated an increased risk of developing dementia (OR, 1.57, 95% CI: 1.01 to 2.49) and experienced a swifter cognitive decline (OR: −0.18 [95% CI: −0.28 to −0.07]).
- Conclusions General and central obesity trajectories beyond midlife with persistently high or increasing patterns were significantly associated with an increased risk of developing cognitive decline and dementia in late life.
Why it matters
In a 14-year study of 4,751 people, those with stable high body mass index or increasing waist circumference beyond middle age had a higher risk of developing dementia and faster cognitive decline than those with healthy, stable measurements. This links long-term obesity patterns to later dementia risk.
Study details
- Study designlongitudinal study
- Evidence strengthModerate
How this study scored 51/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal, and it is a longitudinal study following the same people over time. Scored zero for sample size, effect reported, studied in people and randomized / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Obesity) |
| Journal's citation record | 2 / 4 | Obesity: journal h-index 231 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 7 / 12 | A longitudinal study following the same people over time |
| Strength of evidence | 3 / 5 | Rated “moderate” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 4 / 5 | 2025 — within 3 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomized / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomization or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 2 / 7 | Cited 10 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 2 / 5 | 3.3 citations a year over 3 year(s) since 2025 |
| Impact for its field and year | 3 / 6 | Cited 6.3× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 1 / 4 | Cited 10 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 1 / 4 | Last-listed author Yunhe Wang: h-index 17 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 3 / 3 | University of Washington: institution h-index 3,540 (OpenAlex) |
| Multicenter collaboration | 2 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 7 institution(s) in 3 countries |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 39873393) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 51 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
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