Association between Micronutrient-Related Dietary Pattern and Cognitive Function among Persons 55 Years and Older in China: A Longitudinal Study

• Published in: Nutrients Vol. 15; no. 3; p. 481
• Main Authors: Zhang, Xiaofan, Huang, Feifei, Zhang, Jiguo, Wei, Yanli, Bai, Jing, Wang, Huijun, Jia, Xiaofang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 17.01.2023; MDPI
• Subjects: Animals; Ascorbic acid; China; China - epidemiology; Cognition & reasoning; Cognition - physiology; Cognition disorders; Cognitive ability; cognitive function; Confidence intervals; Dementia; Diet; Diet - methods; dietary pattern; Disease prevention; Family income; Fish oils; Food; Food and nutrition; Health aspects; Households; Legumes; Longitudinal Studies; Memory; Micronutrients; Middle aged persons; Nutrition; Nutrition research; Nutrition surveys; Nutritional aspects; Nuts; Pork; Prevention; Psychological aspects; Recall; reduced rank regression; Regression coefficients; Selenium; Statistical analysis; Trace Elements; Vegetables; Vitamin C; Vitamin E; China; United States > US; cognitive function; reduced rank regression; dietary pattern; China
• ISSN: 2072-6643; 2072-6643
• DOI: 10.3390/nu15030481

Appropriate dietary patterns for preserving cognitive function in China remains unknown. This study explored the association between dietary pattern and cognitive function in the Chinese population. A total of 6308 adults aged 55 and above who participated in the China Health and Nutrition Survey at least two waves from 1997 to 2018 were selected. The dietary pattern was determined using the reduced rank regression method with responses regarding vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, iron, copper, and selenium intakes. We used a three-level random coefficient model to evaluate the association. A "vegetable-pork" dietary pattern characterized by high intakes of Legume products, vegetables, fruits, nuts, pork, fish, and plant oil was identified. Compared to the first quartile (Q1) of dietary scores, the regression coefficients ( value) for the global cognitive score across Q2, Q3, and Q4 were 0.27 ( = 0.030), 0.45 ( < 0.001), and 0.50 ( < 0.001), respectively. The adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and the 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for poor cognition across Q2, Q3, and Q4 were 0.82 (0.73 to 0.93), 0.79 (0.69 to 0.91), and 0.74 (0.63 to 0.86), respectively. The relationship appeared to be stronger among people who were 65 years and older, women, people from the south, and smokers. Higher adherence to the "vegetable-pork" diet is associated with better cognitive function among Chinese elders.