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Abstract
The relationship between body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and cognitive decline in older adults is inconsistent in the international literature, and there is limited evidence in rural Latin American populations. To determine the association between BMI, WC, and cognitive function in rural older adults in Cuenca, Ecuador, and to identify factors independent of cognitive status. A cross-sectional study of 316 older adults (≥65 years) from rural parishes in the Cuenca canton. Cognitive function was assessed using the MMSE, and depression using the Yesavage-15 scale. Spearman’s and Pearson’s correlations were calculated, and adjusted multiple linear regression models were constructed. 69.5% of participants exhibited some degree of cognitive impairment (mean MMSE score: 22.7±7.0). BMI and CC showed no significant correlation with the MMSE (rs=0.002, p=0.979 and rs=0.021, p=0.773, respectively). Depression (Yesavage rs=−0.278; p<0.001) and age (rs=−0.225; p<0.001) were the factors most strongly correlated with the MMSE. In the adjusted regression model (R²=0.214), the depression score (β=−0.431; p<0.001), male sex (β=1.960; p=0.032), and educational level (β=2.381; p=0.003) were significant independent predictors; BMI and WC did not reach significance in any model. Cognitive function in rural older adults in Cuenca is not associated with adiposity
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