Modifiable Risk Factors as Predictors of Global Cognition in Adults: A Pilot Study of Two Rural Communities in Anambra State, Nigeria

Modifiable risk factors are behaviours and exposures that can raise or lower a person's risk of developing diseases. These risk factors by themselves are modifiable and have been shown to drive midlife chronic diseases. This study investigated the roles of modifiable risk factors (i.e., hypertension, diabetes, stroke, measures of adiposity, and physical activity among others) on global cognition in rural community dwellers from southeast Nigeria. One hundred and fifty participants (95 females and 55 males; age = 58.6; SD age = 4.8) were recruited for the study through a door-to-door approach. Montreal Cognitive Assessment was used to capture global cognition. Self-report measures and standardized instruments were used respectively, to gather information on modifiable risk factors and measures of adiposity. Because this was a pilot study, two rural communities were selected based on proximity and convenience for the research team. Linear analysis of variance and multiple regression statistics were used for data analysis. Result showed significant differences at p< 0.05 level on global cognition between diabetic and non-diabetic groups as well as stroke and non-stroke groups. Physical activity was shown as significant predictor of global cognition while sleep and social relations were not. Equally, arm (Beta = 0.31) and waist (Beta= 0.12) circumferences significantly predicted global cognition and underweight participants performed significantly worse F(3,148) = 2.6) on global cognition.