Association of Vegetable and Fruit Consumption Patterns with Cognitive Function in Older People with Different BMI Ranges: Findings from China

Liang Huang,1,* Zixuan Hong,2,* Ying Guo,2 Wenjin Song,2 Jiawei Huang,2 Wenwen Cao,2 Chenglin Cao,2 Ren Chen,2,3 Zhongliang Bai2 1Department of Medical Affairs Management, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Health Services Management, School of Health Services Management, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Geriatrics, Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Chaohu, Anhui, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Ren Chen, Department of Health Services Management, School of Health Services Management, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, People’s Republic of China, Email [email protected] Zhongliang Bai, Department of Health Services Management, School of Health Services Management, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, People’s Republic of China, Email [email protected]: There is a lack of research on how vegetable and fruit consumption patterns affect cognitive function in older adults with varying BMIs. Therefore, this study aims to explore their relationship, with a special focus on gender differences.Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Anhui Province, China, between July and September 2019, and information was collected from 6211 participants regarding socio-demographics, the frequency of vegetable and fruit consumption per week, and cognitive function. The study utilized descriptive analysis and binary logistic regression to determine the association between cognitive function and consumption patterns of vegetable and fruit.Results: There were no statistically significant associations between vegetable and fruit consumption patterns and cognitive function in underweight and obese older adults. Among normal weight men, older adults in the V+/F- (AOR=1.65; 95% CI: 1.16– 2.35) and V-/F- (AOR=3.95; 95% CI: 1.86– 8.42) groups were more likely to have cognitive impairment compared with the V+/F+ group. However, no associations were observed between the two in women of normal weight. For the overweight women, a higher risk of cognitive impairment was found in the V+/F- group (AOR=1.54; 95% CI: 1.12– 2.11), while older men did not.Conclusion: The correlation between vegetable and fruit consumption patterns and cognitive function varies among older adults with different BMIs. Findings suggest the need for targeted nutritional interventions for these communities to maintain cognitive function in older adults.Keywords: vegetable and fruit consumption, cognitive function, older people, cross-sectional, China