Interplay of diet, nutritional status, and psychological well-being in mild cognitive impairment among urban elders in Hyderabad, India: a cross-sectional study

As the global population ages, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) has become a growing concern due to its potential association with dementia, especially in low- and middle-income countries. This study explores relation of dietary intake, nutritional status, and psychological distress with cognitive function among elderly individuals in a low-resource urban setting in India. A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out among population aged 60 years and older in an urban area under the HNDSS, Addagutta, Hyderabad. A total of 153 participants were enrolled. Data were gathered through household surveys, anthropometry, a regionally adapted FFQ, and cognitive and psychological assessments using the MoCA/MoCA-Basic and DASS-21. Multivariable logistic regression models were employed to identify the independent risk factors for MCI. Of the 153 participants from 121 households, 71.2% were identified as having mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Females had 3.93 (95% CI 1.83–8.47; p < 0.001) times higher odds of MCI compared to males. Participants experiencing stress had increased odds (AOR = 3.50, 95% CI = 1.20-10.19, p = 0.021), and Dietary intake of Docosapentaenoic (DPA) (AOR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.80–0.94, p = 0.001) had decreased odds of MCI compared to their counterparts. A high burden of mild cognitive impairment was observed, and factors such as stress, education, and DPA intake showed significant associations. While these findings point to potentially modifiable pathways, the cross-sectional design prevents causal inference, underscoring the need for longitudinal studies to confirm these relationships.