Nutritional Status and Physical Activity in Relation to Cognitive Function in a Group of Elderly in Nigeria

Abstract This study was undertaken to examine the relationship between nutritional status, physical activity levels, and cognitive performance in a group of healthy, non-institutionalized elderly population aged 55-95 years. Anthropometric techniques and a 24-hour dietary recall were employed to assess the nutritional status. A physical activity assessment questionnaire was used to determine the physical activity levels. Subjects' cognitive capacity was assessed by using the modified Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). Approximately 52% of the subjects were classified as malnourished. The vast majority of the subjects' dietary intake leaned heavily towards the energy giving food group. About 68% of the subjects regularly took nutritional supplements and there was a significant correlation between this intake and cognitive function score (r = 0.30; P = 0.001). The mean cognitive function score for men was higher (20.15 +2.2) than that of women (19.73 +2.6). However, there was no significant association b...