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. 2022 Oct;61(7):3719-3729.
doi: 10.1007/s00394-022-02921-z. Epub 2022 Jun 15.

A lifestyle score in childhood and adolescence was positively associated with subsequently measured fluid intelligence in the DONALD cohort study

Maike Elena Schnermann  1 , Christina-Alexandra Schulz  1 , Christine Ludwig  1 , Ute Alexy  1 , Ute Nöthlings  2
Affiliations

A lifestyle score in childhood and adolescence was positively associated with subsequently measured fluid intelligence in the DONALD cohort study

Maike Elena Schnermann et al. Eur J Nutr. 2022 Oct.

Abstract

Purpose: Lifestyle scores which combine single factors such as diet, activity, or sleep duration showed associations with cognitive decline in adults. However, the role of a favourable lifestyle in younger age and the build-up of cognitive reserve is less clear, which is why we investigated longitudinal associations between a lifestyle score in childhood and adolescence and fluid intelligence obtained on average 6 years later.

Methods: In the DONALD cohort, a lifestyle score of 0 to 4 points including healthy diet and duration of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep was repeatedly assessed in participants aged 5 and 19 years. Data on fluid intelligence were assessed via a German version of the culture fair intelligence test (CFT), using CFT 1-R in children 8.5 years of age or younger (n = 62) or CFT 20-R in participants older than 8.5 years (n = 192). Multivariable linear regression models were used to investigate prospective associations between the lifestyle score and the fluid intelligence score.

Results: Mean lifestyle score of all participants was 2.2 (0.7-4) points. A one-point increase in the lifestyle score was associated with a higher fluid intelligence score (4.8 points [0.3-7.3], p = 0.0343) for participants completing the CFT 20-R. Furthermore, each additional hour of sedentary behaviour was associated with a lower fluid intelligence score (- 3.0 points [- 5.7 to - 0.3], p = 0.0313). For younger participants (CFT 1-R), no association was found in any analysis (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: A healthy lifestyle was positively associated with fluid intelligence, whereby sedentary behaviour itself seemed to play a prominent role.

Keywords: Adolescents; Children; Cognitive ability; Combined lifestyle; Fluid intelligence; Lifestyle score.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow diagram for participant data from the DONALD Study. CFT culture fair intelligence test. 1Participants were recruited between 1985 and September 2021
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Change in fluid intelligence score per 1-point increase in the lifestyle score and modified versions (CFT 20-R participants only). Associations were analysed using multiple linear regression. Analysis were adjusted for age, sex, parental education, smoking in the household, exclusive breastfeeding, body weight, and the omitted lifestyle factor. MVPA moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, CFT culture fair intelligence test
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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