Eating patterns are associated with cognitive function in the elderly at risk of metabolic syndrome from rural areas

J. Bajerska, M. Wozniewicz, A. Suwalska, J. Jeszka

Department of Human Nutrition and Hygiene, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poland. joanna.bajerska@up.poznan.pl

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• Nutrition

OBJECTIVE: The Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) represents a promising approach in the prevention of cognitive decline, but the evidence for such beneficial effect, especially among elderly populations in non-Mediterranean regions, is at present inconsistent. This study investigated the relationship between adherence to MedDiet and cognitive function (CF), along with selected sociodemographic (SD) and clinical indices, in Polish elderly people > 60 years of age, with high risk of metabolic syndrome (MS), living in rural area.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Complete SD and lifestyle information was collected. The dietary outcome was recorded as a MedDiet score with the frequencies of consumption of the main food groups in the a MedDiet pyramid. Parameters identifying MS and body weight status were determined, and 11 psychological test results were examined in four domains: visual memory, executive function, attention, and global cognition.

RESULTS: The lower MedDiet score was more often connected with living without children and with CF impairment. The MedDiet score was linked with global cognition; frequency of consumption of vegetable, fish, olive and rapeseed oil with visual memory, attention, executive function respectively. The consumption of full-fat dairy products and red meat and meat products was negatively related to executive and global CF. Also, insufficient physical activity, low educational status, female gender, living without children, and the existence of MS were factors of risk of CF impairment.

CONCLUSIONS: Greater adherence to MedDiet and frequency of consumption of some foods were associated with better scores in several CF tests in elderly individuals with high risk of MS living in a rural community. However, lifestyle, clinical, and SD factors should also be considered.

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