Abstract P332: Metabolically Healthy Obesity is Associated With Higher Levels of Executive Function in Middle-Aged Adults: The Bogalusa Heart Study

Introduction: Obesity in midlife is associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline. It remains unclear if there is a difference in cognitive function between individuals with obesity and metabolic dysfunction (metabolically abnormal obesity - MAO) versus those with metabolically healthy obesity (MHO). We assessed the relationship between MHO (vs MAO) and cognitive function in mid-life among Black and White individuals in the Bogalusa Heart Study. Methods: The Bogalusa Heart Study is a longitudinal cohort exploring the natural history of cardiovascular disease among Black and White individuals in Bogalusa, Louisiana. This cross-sectional analysis included 659 participants with obesity, defined as BMI ≥ 30 kg/m 2 . Metabolic abnormality was defined as the presence of one or more of the following: systolic blood pressure ≥ 130 mm Hg, diastolic blood pressure ≥ 85 mm Hg, taking blood pressure lowering medication, triglycerides ≥ 150 mg/dL, HDL-C < 40 mg/dL (men) or < 50 mg/dL (women), taking lipid-lowering medication, fasting plasma glucose ≥ 100 mg/dL, or taking diabetes medication. Healthy metabolic status was defined as the absence of blood pressure, lipid, and glycemic abnormalities. Cognitive function was measured using a total of 9 neuropsychological tests assessing attention/information processing speed, executive function, and episodic memory. Linear regression models were used to determine the association between MHO and a demographically standardized global cognitive score and individual domain-based z-scores adjusting for smoking status and education. Results: Participants had a mean age of 47.8 ± 5.3 years, 42.7% self-identified as Black, and 64.1% were female. The prevalence of MHO was 9.9%. MHO was associated with higher levels of executive function compared with MAO (β=0.46; SE=0.19; p=0.0145). No significant differences were observed between MHO and MAO participants on global cognitive score, processing speed, or episodic memory. Conclusions: Our study found that MHO is associated with better levels of executive function in midlife. While additional studies are needed, these findings suggest that interventions that reduce metabolic abnormalities related to blood pressure, lipids, and glucose may reduce obesity-related decreases in executive function among middle-aged individuals with obesity.