Plasma fatty acid profile is related to cognitive function in obese Chinese populations (35–64 years): A cross‐sectional study

BACKGROUND: A fast‐growing body of evidence suggests that dietary lipids influence cognition, but the effects of dietary fatty acid (FA) intake and plasma FA profile on cognitive function in obese populations are currently unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the dietary FA intakes and plasma FA composition and their association with cognitive functions in obese and overweight populations aged 35–64 years. METHODS: A total of 672 subjects were recruited and divided into normal‐weight, overweight, and obese groups based on their body mass index (BMI). Dietary information was collected using a semiquantified food frequency questionnaire. Plasma FAs composition was examined using gas chromatography. The mini‐mental state examination and Montreal Cognitive Assessment scales were carried out to assess the cognitive performance of each participant. Dietary FA intake and plasma FA composition were compared with rank transformation followed by one‐way ANOVA analysis across different BMI groups. Spearman rank correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation between dietary FA intake and plasma FA composition and cognitive functions in normal‐weight, overweight, and obese subjects, respectively. RESULTS: Overweight and obese subjects consumed larger amounts of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) compared to normal‐weight participants (p < .05). Obese populations also had higher plasma levels of total SFAs and total monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFAs) than normal‐weight subjects (both p < .05). In addition, plasma levels of SFAs, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), and MUFAs were negatively correlated with cognitive functions in obese subjects but showed no correlation in normal‐weight and overweight subjects. CONCLUSIONS: From current data, we found higher plasma levels of SFA, PUFA, and MUFA in obese populations, which were associated with declined cognition. Lowering plasma FA levels may help maintaining normal cognitive functions in obese people.