Associations Between Dietary Fat Quality and Cognitive Function Among Adults: The Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos

Abstract Objectives Individual fatty acids (FA) within dietary fat classes [saturated (SFA), monounsaturated (MUFA), polyunsaturated (PUFA), and trans FA (TFA)] may differentially affect risk of cognitive impairment. This has received little attention by most previous studies of diet and cognitive function, and few studies are available among Hispanic/Latinos. Our objective was to quantify associations of dietary FA (DFA) patterns with cognitive function among Hispanic/Latinos residing in the US. Methods This is a cross-sectional analysis of participants of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos, a diverse cohort recruited from 2008–11 (n = 7842, mean age 55 y, 62% female). Dietary data are from two 24-hr recalls; the National Cancer Institute method was used to estimate usual nutrient intake. Total animal and plant MUFA variables and 26 FA were used to derive DFA patterns by principal components analysis. Global cognitive function was calculated as the average z-score from 3 cognitive tests [Word Fluency (WF), Spanish English Verbal Learning Test (B-SEVLT) sum, and Digit Symbol Substitution (DSS)]. Survey linear regression models, were adjusted for a number of confounders including, but not limited to education, depressive symptoms, ethnicity, study site, physical activity, and total energy. Results DFA patterns were characterized by greater consumption of long-chain SFA, animal MUFA, and TFA (Factor 1); short to medium-chain SFA (Factor 2); very-long-chain PUFA (Factor 3); very-long-chain SFA, plant MUFA and essential PUFA (Factor 4). Each 1-SD increase in only Factor 2 or 4 was associated with a 0.03 ± 0.01 SD or 0.02 ± 0.01 SD higher global cognitive function score, respectively (P < 0.05). Factor 2 was positiviely associated with DSS and B-SEVLT scores (P < 0.05). Factors 1 and 4 were positively associated with DSS scores (P < 0.05). Factor 3 was not significantly associated with any cognitive function measure. Conclusions Our findings suggest that intake of short to medium-chain SFA, and of plant based MUFA, SFA, and PUFA, may be associated with a small benefit on global cognitive function among Hispanic/Latino adults. Null associations were observed with a very-long-chain PUFA pattern, which may be partly due to low fish consumption. Prospective studies conducted in similar and other populations are needed to confirm our results. Funding Sources None.

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Associations between dietary fatty acid patterns and cognitive function in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos

British Journal Of Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s0007114521003275 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-35

Author(s):

Nicole A Karazurna ◽

Caitlin M Porter ◽

Semra Aytur ◽

Tammy Scott ◽

Josiemer Mattei ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Fatty Acid ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Community Health ◽

Dietary Fatty Acid ◽

Health Study ◽

Medium Chain ◽

Global Cognitive Function ◽

Hispanic Community ◽

Long Chain

Abstract Our objective was to quantify the cross-sectional associations between dietary fatty acid (DFA) patterns and cognitive function among Hispanic/Latino adults. This study included data from 8,942 participants of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos, a population-based cohort study (weighted age 56.2 y and proportion female 55.2%). The NCI (National Cancer Institute) method was used to estimate dietary intake from two 24-hr recalls. We derived DFA patterns using principal components analysis with 26 fatty acid and total plant and animal monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) input variables. Global cognitive function was calculated as the average z-score of 4 neurocognitive tests. Survey linear regression models included multiple potential confounders such as age, sex, education, depressive symptoms, physical activity, energy intake, and cardiovascular disease. DFA patterns were characterized by consumption of long-chain saturated fatty acids (SFA), animal-based MUFA, and trans fatty acids (Factor 1); short to medium-chain SFA (Factor 2); very-long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (Factor 3); very-long-chain SFA and plant-based MUFA and PUFA (Factor 4). Factor 2 was associated with greater scores for global cognitive function (β=0.037 ± 0.012) and the Digit Symbol Substitution (DSS) (β=0.56±0.17), Brief Spanish English Verbal Learning-Sum (B-SEVLT) (β=0.23 ± 0.11), and B-SEVLT-Recall (β=0.11 ± 0.05) tests (P<0.05 for all). Factors 1 (β=0.04 ± 0.01) and 4 (β=0.70 ± 0.18) were associated with the DSS test (P<0.05 for all). Consumption of short to medium-chain SFA may be associated with higher cognitive function among U.S.-residing Hispanic/Latino adults. Prospective studies are necessary to confirm these findings.

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Anxious-depression among Hispanic/Latinos from different backgrounds: results from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL)

Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology ◽

10.1007/s00127-015-1120-4 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 50 (11) ◽

pp. 1669-1677 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Álvaro Camacho ◽

Patricia Gonzalez ◽

Christina Buelna ◽

Kristen T. Emory ◽

Gregory A. Talavera ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Community Health ◽

Health Study ◽

Anxious Depression ◽

Hispanic Community ◽

Hispanic Latinos

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Ankle brachial index and cognitive function among Hispanics/Latinos: Results from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos

Atherosclerosis ◽

10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2018.02.016 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 271 ◽

pp. 61-69 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Wassim Tarraf ◽

Michael H. Criqui ◽

Matthew A. Allison ◽

Clinton B. Wright ◽

Myriam Fornage ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Function ◽

Community Health ◽

Ankle Brachial Index ◽

Health Study ◽

Hispanic Community

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Prevalence of atrial fibrillation and association with clinical, sociocultural, and ancestral correlates among Hispanic/Latinos: The Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos

Heart Rhythm ◽

10.1016/j.hrthm.2018.11.033 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (5) ◽

pp. 686-693

Author(s):

Jered D. Linares ◽

Larry R. Jackson ◽

Farah Z. Dawood ◽

Katrina Swett ◽

Emelia J. Benjamin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Community Health ◽

Health Study ◽

Hispanic Community ◽

Hispanic Latinos

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Neurocognitive Function Among Middle-aged and Older Hispanic/Latinos: Results from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos

Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology ◽

10.1093/arclin/acu066 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 30 (1) ◽

pp. 68-77 ◽

Cited By ~ 45

Author(s):

Hector M. González ◽

Wassim Tarraf ◽

Natalia Gouskova ◽

Linda C. Gallo ◽

Frank J. Penedo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Community Health ◽

Neurocognitive Function ◽

Health Study ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Hispanic Community ◽

Hispanic Latinos

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Isotemporal Analysis of the Association of Objectively Measured Physical Activity With Depressive Symptoms: Results From Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL)

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2016-0648 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 14 (9) ◽

pp. 733-739 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Chad D. Rethorst ◽

Ashley E. Moncrieft ◽

Marc D. Gellman ◽

Elva M. Arredondo ◽

Christina Buelna ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Community Health ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Health Study ◽

Hispanic Community ◽

Hispanic Latinos ◽

Objectively Measured ◽

Relationship Of ◽

The Relationship

Background:The burden of depression among Hispanics/Latinos indicates the need to identify factors related to depressive symptoms. This paper examines the relationship of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) with depressive symptoms in Hispanic/Latinos.Methods:The Hispanic Community Health Study / Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) is a population-based, cohort study of Hispanic/Latinos in 4 United States metropolitan areas. Objectively measured PA was coded into: sedentary behavior (SB), light-intensity (LPA), moderate-intensity (MPA), and vigorous-intensity (VPA); and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale-10 assessed depressive symptoms. Multiple regression analysis utilizing isotemporal substitution, adjusted for relevant covariates, examined PA as predictors of depressive symptoms.Results:Substitution of 1 hour of SB with VPA resulted in a significant decrease in depressive symptoms (β = –1.215, P = .021). Similar decreases were observed when VPA replaced LPA (β = –1.212, P = .021) and MPA (β = –1.50 P = .034). MPA and LPA were not associated with lower depressive symptoms.Conclusions:Previous research has focused on the relationship of MVPA on depressive symptoms. Our results suggest these constructs should be examined separately as they may have unique relationships with depressive symptoms. The association of SB with greater depressive symptoms confirms previous reports.

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Demographic and sociocultural risk factors for adulthood weight gain in Hispanic/Latinos: results from the Hispanic Community Health Study / Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL)

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-11848-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Lindsay Fernández-Rhodes ◽

Nicole M. Butera ◽

Evans K. Lodge ◽

Nora Franceschini ◽

Maria M. Llabre ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Weight Gain ◽

Community Health ◽

Average Rate ◽

Weight Maintenance ◽

Early Adulthood ◽

Health Study ◽

Sociocultural Factors ◽

Hispanic Community ◽

Hispanic Latinos ◽

The Life Course

Abstract Background United States (US) Hispanic/Latinos experience a disproportionate burden of obesity, which may in part be related to demographic or sociocultural factors, including acculturation to an US diet or inactive lifestyle. Therefore, we sought to describe the association between adulthood weight histories and demographic and sociocultural factors in a large diverse community-based cohort of US Hispanic/Latinos. Methods We estimated the effect of several factors on weight gain across adulthood, using multivariable linear mixed models to leverage 38,759 self-reported current body weights and weight histories recalled for 21, 45 and 65 years of age, from 15,203 adults at least 21 years of age at the baseline visit of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (2008–2011). Results The average rate of weight gain was nearly 10 kg per decade in early adulthood, but slowed to < 5 kg a decade among individuals 60+ years of age. Birth cohort, gender, nativity or age at immigration, Hispanic/Latino background, and study site each significantly modified the form of the predicted adulthood weight trajectory. Among immigrants, weight gain during the 5 years post-migration was on average 0.88 kg (95% CI: 0.04, 1.72) greater than the weight gain during the 5 years prior. The rate of weight gain appeared to slow after 15 years post-migration. Conclusions Using self-reported and weight history data in a diverse sample of US Hispanic/Latinos, we revealed that both demographic and sociocultural factors were associated with the patterning of adulthood weight gain in this sample. Given the steep rate of weight gain in this population and the fact that many Hispanic/Latinos living in the US immigrated as adults, efforts to promote weight maintenance across the life course, including after immigration, should be a top priority for promoting Hispanic/Latino health and addressing US health disparities more broadly.

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