ANALYSIS OF BODY MASS INDEX (BMI) AND COGNITION IN ADOLESCENT FEMALES- A CORRELATIONAL STUDY

Background: Adolescent is characterised by rapid physical growth and sexual development, accompanied by changes in the percentage of body fat. Obesity and underweight are one of the most prominent problems of the modern society which consists of a wide range of short-term and long-term complications. The rising prevalence of childhood obesity is directly related to the vascular, metabolic condition and risk factor to cognitive decline or dementia. Under-weight is also often associated with acute and chronic medical complications like Anorexia nervosa, low bone density and mass with impaired immune system and increased mortality rate. Therefore purpose of this study is to identify early signs of impaired BMI as a cause of cognitive impairment and prevent the child obesity and underweight to overcome the future health risk factors. The aim of this study is to find a correlation between BMI and MMSE score in Indian adolescent females. Methodology: 31 female subjects with mean age 16±3 years were selected according to random sampling in this study. The Quetlets formula was used to measure body mass index. Group division for Underweight, Normal and Over-weight was done for the BMI score then Score of MMSE, a measure of cognition was taken. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 16. The Karl Pearsons Coefficient correlation was calculated to see correlation between BMI and MMSE cognitive function. P < 0.05 was considered of statistical significance. Result: The study found correlative change in variables as observed in group A MMSE mean 25.84±3.83 and BMI mean 16.10±1.08 with P<0.05 i.e which was found statically significant. In group B MMSE mean 26.22±1.30 and BMI mean 20.60±1.80 with P>0.05 i.e which was found statically non significnat. In group C MMSE mean 23.00±3.46 and BMI mean 26.06±1.15 with P<0.05 i.e which was found statically significant. And in total number of subject MMSE mean 25.68±3.3 and BMI mean 18.37±3.51with P>0.05. it was found that there was a significant correlation between the body mass index and cognition in group A and group C but there was no significant correlation between body mass index and cognition in group B and total number of subjects(31). Conclusion: The study conclude to state that there exist a significance correlation and of body mass index on cognition.