M Uraka, N Kala
Background: Body composition is a key determinant of health and has more recently been suggested to play a role in cognition. Increased adiposity and central obesity have been linked too many metabolic abnormalities that lower attention, memory, executive function, and processing speed. However, there is little evidence of this association in young and healthy adult. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between body composition and cognitive function in healthy young adults. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study (n=85) was carried over undergraduate medical students aged 18 25 years at Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College, Kolar, Karnataka. Body composition was assessed using the Tanita BC 601 Body Composition Analyzer; and anthropometry included Body mass index (BMI) and Waist to hip ratio (WHR). Cognition was assessed by TMT, Six-Letter Cancellation Test (SLCT) and Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST). Analysis 2 Data were analysed using SPSS version 22.0 (IBM) Association was assessed by Pearson's correlation coefficient and Chi-square test, p <0.05 has been considered statistically significant. Results: Participants were 21.3 ± 1.6 years old, and 55.3% of the sample was female. Mean BMI was 23.4 ± 3.8 kg/m² and body fat percentage (BFP) was 24.8 ± 7.4%. Longer TMT completion times and higher SLCT and DSST scores were significantly associated with greater BMI, waist circumference, body fat rate and visceral fat (p <0.05). In contrast, indicators of increased lean mass and total body water were positively associated with cognitive performance. Conclusions: Results indicate an inverse relationship between higher adiposity and cognitive performance, while a direct relationship with higher muscle mass exists in healthy young adults. These results underline the importance of lifestyle changes aiming at a healthy body composition for facilitating cognitive health and an early preventive approach. Keywords: Body composition; Cognitive function; Body mass index; Visceral fat; Muscle mass; Trail Making Test; Six-Letter Cancellation Test; Digit Symbol Substitution Test; Healthy young adults.