Association of a novel nutritional index with cognitive impairment in middle-aged and elderly Chinese adults: a cross-sectional analysis from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study

PurposeThe triglyceride-cholesterol-body weight index (TCBI), a novel and easily computable nutritional index, incorporates serum triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and body weight (BW). This study explored the association between TCBI and cognitive impairment in middle-aged and elderly Chin...

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Main Authors: Guotao Liu, Jianyuan Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-02-01
Series:Frontiers in Nutrition
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1486917/full
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author Guotao Liu
Jianyuan Zhang
author_facet Guotao Liu
Jianyuan Zhang
author_sort Guotao Liu
collection DOAJ
description PurposeThe triglyceride-cholesterol-body weight index (TCBI), a novel and easily computable nutritional index, incorporates serum triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and body weight (BW). This study explored the association between TCBI and cognitive impairment in middle-aged and elderly Chinese populations.Patients and methodsThis cross-sectional study employed data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) baseline survey, including 7,145 participants. TCBI was calculated as TG (mg/dL) × TC (mg/dL) × BW (kg)/1,000. Cognitive function was assessed based on mental status and episodic memory, with a total score below 11 indicating cognitive impairment. The relationship between TCBI and cognitive impairment was examined using multiple logistic regression, smooth curve fitting, and subgroup analyses.ResultsAfter full adjustment, each 1-unit increase in log-transformed TCBI (Lg TCBI) was associated with a 29.7% reduction in cognitive impairment risk [odds ratio (OR) = 0.703, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.529–0.933; p = 0.015]. When Lg TCBI was categorized into quartiles, the Q2, Q3, and Q4 groups exhibited a reduced risk of cognitive impairment by 19.9, 16.3, and 22.9%, respectively (p for trend = 0.043), compared to the Q1 group. Smooth curve fitting revealed a consistent decrease in cognitive impairment risk with higher Lg TCBI levels. Subgroup analysis indicated that the association was stronger among participants aged ≥60 years (OR = 0.655, 95% CI: 0.438–0.979), non-current drinkers (OR = 0.643, 95% CI: 0.451–0.917), and those who engaged in socializing (OR = 0.568, 95% CI: 0.371–0.871).ConclusionTCBI was significantly and negatively associated with cognitive impairment in Chinese middle-aged and elderly individuals, with the effect more pronounced in those aged ≥60 years, non-current drinkers, and socially active participants.
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spelling doaj-art-0f92262e235e420590c265c123dcec6a2025-02-03T05:11:59ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Nutrition2296-861X2025-02-011210.3389/fnut.2025.14869171486917Association of a novel nutritional index with cognitive impairment in middle-aged and elderly Chinese adults: a cross-sectional analysis from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal StudyGuotao Liu0Jianyuan Zhang1Department of Health Care, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Qingdao, ChinaDepartment of Neurology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Qingdao, ChinaPurposeThe triglyceride-cholesterol-body weight index (TCBI), a novel and easily computable nutritional index, incorporates serum triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and body weight (BW). This study explored the association between TCBI and cognitive impairment in middle-aged and elderly Chinese populations.Patients and methodsThis cross-sectional study employed data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) baseline survey, including 7,145 participants. TCBI was calculated as TG (mg/dL) × TC (mg/dL) × BW (kg)/1,000. Cognitive function was assessed based on mental status and episodic memory, with a total score below 11 indicating cognitive impairment. The relationship between TCBI and cognitive impairment was examined using multiple logistic regression, smooth curve fitting, and subgroup analyses.ResultsAfter full adjustment, each 1-unit increase in log-transformed TCBI (Lg TCBI) was associated with a 29.7% reduction in cognitive impairment risk [odds ratio (OR) = 0.703, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.529–0.933; p = 0.015]. When Lg TCBI was categorized into quartiles, the Q2, Q3, and Q4 groups exhibited a reduced risk of cognitive impairment by 19.9, 16.3, and 22.9%, respectively (p for trend = 0.043), compared to the Q1 group. Smooth curve fitting revealed a consistent decrease in cognitive impairment risk with higher Lg TCBI levels. Subgroup analysis indicated that the association was stronger among participants aged ≥60 years (OR = 0.655, 95% CI: 0.438–0.979), non-current drinkers (OR = 0.643, 95% CI: 0.451–0.917), and those who engaged in socializing (OR = 0.568, 95% CI: 0.371–0.871).ConclusionTCBI was significantly and negatively associated with cognitive impairment in Chinese middle-aged and elderly individuals, with the effect more pronounced in those aged ≥60 years, non-current drinkers, and socially active participants.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1486917/fullnutritional indexTCBIcognitive impairmentCHARLScross-sectional study
spellingShingle Guotao Liu
Jianyuan Zhang
Association of a novel nutritional index with cognitive impairment in middle-aged and elderly Chinese adults: a cross-sectional analysis from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study
Frontiers in Nutrition
nutritional index
TCBI
cognitive impairment
CHARLS
cross-sectional study
title Association of a novel nutritional index with cognitive impairment in middle-aged and elderly Chinese adults: a cross-sectional analysis from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study
title_full Association of a novel nutritional index with cognitive impairment in middle-aged and elderly Chinese adults: a cross-sectional analysis from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study
title_fullStr Association of a novel nutritional index with cognitive impairment in middle-aged and elderly Chinese adults: a cross-sectional analysis from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study
title_full_unstemmed Association of a novel nutritional index with cognitive impairment in middle-aged and elderly Chinese adults: a cross-sectional analysis from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study
title_short Association of a novel nutritional index with cognitive impairment in middle-aged and elderly Chinese adults: a cross-sectional analysis from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study
title_sort association of a novel nutritional index with cognitive impairment in middle aged and elderly chinese adults a cross sectional analysis from the china health and retirement longitudinal study
topic nutritional index
TCBI
cognitive impairment
CHARLS
cross-sectional study
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1486917/full
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