The joint association of obesity and low handgrip strength with cognitive impairment and probable dementia: a cross-sectional study

Introduction Obesity and low handgrip strength (HGS) have both been associated with cognitive impairment and dementia, but their combined association remains unclear. This study examined the association of obesity and low HGS, separately and jointly, with cognitive impairment and probable dementia in older Colombian adults. Methods A secondary cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data from the Colombian Health, Well-Being, and Aging Survey (SABE Colombia 2015). The analytic sample included 4,656 community-dwelling adults aged ≥60 years. Obesity was defined as body mass index ≥30 kg/m 2 , and low HGS was defined using EWGSOP2 sex-specific cut-off points (<27 kg for men and <16 kg for women). Cognitive impairment was assessed using a revised version of the Mini-Mental State Examination. Probable dementia was defined as the co-occurrence of cognitive impairment and at least two limitations in instrumental activities of daily living. Results Cognitive impairment was present in 12.2% of men and 14.2% of women, while probable dementia was observed in 4.9% of men and 6.6% of women. Low HGS, with or without obesity, was associated with higher odds of cognitive impairment in both sexes. For probable dementia, low HGS was associated with higher odds in both sexes, whereas obesity combined with low HGS was significantly associated with probable dementia only in women in the fully adjusted model. Obesity with normal HGS was not associated with either outcome. Discussion Low HGS, rather than obesity alone, was associated with cognitive impairment and probable dementia in Colombian older adults. These findings support the relevance of considering muscular function when examining cognitive health in later life.