Is the association between dietary patterns and cognition mediated by children's adiposity? A longitudinal approach in Generation XXI birth cohort

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2022

Authors

Marinho A.R. (Author) Other; Severo M. (Author) Other; Vilela S. (Author) Other; Costa R. (Author) Other; de Lauzon-Guillain B. (Author) Other; Torres, Duarte (Author) FCNAUP; Lopes C. (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Clinical Nutrition

Vol. 41

Pages: 231-237

ISSN: 0261-5614

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 5 Citations

Scopus - 5 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Medical and Health sciences

CORDIS: Health sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00V-WC1

DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2021.11.029

Abstract (EN): Background/aims: There is a consistent body of evidence on the association between single nutrients and cognition, but the role of a healthful dietary pattern on cognition in children has been seldomly studied. This study aims to assess the association between dietary patterns at 4 years (y) and cognitive abilities at 10-13y and examine whether adiposity mediated these associations. Methods: This study used data from a sub-sample of the population-based birth cohort Generation XXI, with complete information on diet and cognition (n = 3575). At 4y, data on dietary intake was collected by a validated food frequency questionnaire and dietary patterns were derived by latent class analysis, namely Energy-dense food (EDF) pattern, Snacking pattern and Healthier pattern (Reference). At 10¿13y, the Portuguese Version of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children®-Third Edition was administered by trained psychologists and age-adjusted composite scores were computed: a Full-Scale Intelligence Quotient (IQ), plus a Verbal IQ, Performance IQ and Processing Speed IQ. Age- and sex-specific body mass index (BMI) z-scores, body fat percentage from bioimpedance, and waist-to-weight ratio and waist-to-hip ratio were used as measures of adiposity. Regression coefficients and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed using linear regression models (adjusted for maternal age and education, pre-pregnancy BMI, smoking and alcohol intake during pregnancy, child's sex, birthweight, exclusive breastfeeding duration and having siblings at 4y). Mediation analysis was conducted using path analysis. Results: After adjustment, children classified in the EDF or a Snacking patterns at 4y were more likely to have lower scores on total IQ (ß = ¿0.116; 95%CI:¿0.192,¿0.039 and ß = ¿0.148; 95%CI ¿0.252,¿0.044, respectively), Verbal IQ (ß = ¿0.104; 95%CI ¿0.177, ¿0.031 and ß = ¿0.163; 95%CI ¿0.262,¿0.064, respectively) and Performance IQ (ß = ¿0.116 95%CI ¿0.193,¿0.040 and ß = ¿0.147; 95%CI ¿0.250,¿0.042, respectively) at 10¿13y, when compared to those classified in the Healthier pattern. None of the adiposity measures seemed to explain the associations between dietary patterns and IQ. Conclusion: This study supports that early unhealthy dietary patterns were associated with lower child's cognitive ability, but this effect did not seem to be mediated by adiposity.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 6