Interaction Between Body Mass Index and Central Adiposity and Risk of Incident Cognitive Impairment and Dementia: Results from the Women's Health Initiative Memory Study

Abstract

WHR affects the relationship between BMI and risk of cognitive impairment and probable dementia in older women. Underweight women (BMI < 20.0 kg/m²) with a WHR less than 0.80 had a greater risk than those with higher BMIs. In normal-weight to obese women (20.0-29.9 kg/m², central adiposity (WHR ≥ 0.80) is associated with greater risk of cognitive impairment and probable dementia than in women with higher BMI. These data suggest that central adiposity as a risk factor for cognitive impairment and probable dementia in normal-weight women.