Background: Both air pollution and lifestyle are associated with cognitive function, with air pollution being detrimental and positive lifestyles being beneficial. The extent to which a favorable lifestyle can mitigate the harmful effects of air pollution on cognitive function in later life remains unclear.
Methods: 7,651 individuals aged 65 years and above from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) were followed up between 2008 and 2018. Cognitive function was measured repeatedly at each wave using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Air pollution exposure was assessed using particulate matter (PM1, PM2.5, and PM10) concentrations derived from satellite-based spatiotemporal models. A favorable lifestyle was determined based on four modifiable lifestyle factors: never drinking, never smoking, regular exercise, and a healthy diet. Linear mixed-effects models were employed to estimate the association between PM and cognitive function and the moderation effect of lifestyle.
Results: Overall, there were significant associations between PM and cognitive function, with MMSE scores decreasing by 0.51 units (95% CI: -0.66, -0.36), 0.31 units (95% CI: -0.39, -0.23), and 0.19 units (95% CI: -0.23, -0.13) per 10 µg/m³ increase in PM1, PM2.5, and PM10, respectively. A favorable lifestyle was beneficial for cognitive function. Moreover, the adverse association between PM exposure and cognitive function was significantly attenuated by a favorable lifestyle (p-interaction = 0.007, 0.013, 0.037 for PM1, PM2.5, and PM10, respectively).
Conclusions: A favorable lifestyle may mitigate the adverse association between PM exposure and cognitive function. Lifestyle interventions could be beneficial in counteracting the neurological impacts of ambient air pollution.

Authors:
Qi Zhao, National University of Singapore, Singapore
Qiushi Feng, National University of Singapore, Singapore
Saima Hilal, National University of Singapore, Singapore
Wei Jie Seow, National University of Singapore, Singapore

About the Presenter(s)
Mr. Zhao is currently a PhD student at the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Saturday Schedule

Bookmark