Obesity Abstracts

Background: While obesity has well known health implications there is limited research examining how it may influence cognitive function. The UK Women’s Cohort Study (UKWCS) was established to explore links between diet and chronic disease. The cohort collected baseline data (1995 to 1998) using a postal questionnaire including a detailed FFQ. Phase 2 data were collected 4 years later (1999 to 2002), and included a 4-day food diary, 1-day activity diary and lifestyle questionnaire. The aims of this sub-study were to determine the acceptability of web-based cognitive function testing, and to establish cross-sectional associations between traits and components of successful ageing.

Methods: In 2010/11, a random sample of 2000 women, of the 35,000 in the UKWCS, who were cancer free, were invited to complete a questionnaire which included a personality assessment and an invitation to complete an online reaction time task (simple and choice reaction time) using a Flash-based method.

Results: Among 664 responders, 503 women were eligible including 102 women who were classified as overweight (25=30). Regression analysis adjusting for key confounders did not find any significant association between BMI and either simple or choice reaction times. Self-reported food intake differed by BMI, with red meat intake (β=1.38, P=0.007), processed meat intake (β=0.57, P<0.001), poultry meat intake (β=0.86, P<0.001), and total meat intake (β=2.92, P<0.001) were positively associated with BMI in this group. In addition, meat intake did not show an interaction with BMI in relation to reaction time.

Conclusion: BMI is not associated with reaction time as a measure of cognitive function in this population.

Keywords: BMI, reaction time, cohort

Disclosures: HZ is funded by a China Council Scholarship. JEC leads the UK Women’s Cohort.