| Education and physical activity mediate the relationship between ethnicity and cognitive function in late middle-aged adults. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 20401816 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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OBJECTIVE: Minority status has been implicated as a risk factor for disparate scores on cognitive function tests in older adults. Research on ethnicity and cognitive function has yielded socioeconomic status, particularly education, as a primary reason for the discrepancy. Other factors, such as physical activity may provide insight into the relationship. Despite this knowledge, few studies have thoroughly examined the mediating characteristics of education or physical activity in the relationship between ethnicity and cognitive function in younger aged groups. Most research conducted focuses only on older adults during a time when degeneration of brain tissue may complicate the exploration of the relationships among ethnicity and cognitive function. The current research will expand existing knowledge about education, physical activity, and cognitive function in minority groups. DESIGN: The study presents data from the Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative sample of late middle-aged White, Black, and Hispanic adults (n=9204, mean age+/-SD = 55.8+/-3.1). Regression and mediation testing determined the mediating effects of education and physical activity in the relationship between ethnicity and cognitive function. RESULTS: Significant association between White ethnicity and higher scores on cognitive tests was evident as early as late middle age. The magnitude of the association significantly diminished on adjusting for education and leisure time physical activity. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest a potential mediating role of education and physical activity on the ethnic differences in cognitive tests in late middle-aged White, Black, and Hispanic adults. Our findings suggest a need for studies to understand if adult education and culturally appropriate physical activity interventions in middle age influence ethnic disparities in prevalence of cognitive impairment in old age. |
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Authors:
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Meredith C Masel; Mukaila Raji; M Kristen Peek |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Ethnicity & health Volume: 15 ISSN: 1465-3419 ISO Abbreviation: Ethn Health Publication Date: 2010 Jun |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2010-06-16 Completed Date: 2010-09-20 Revised Date: 2010-12-17 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 9608374 Medline TA: Ethn Health Country: England |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 283-302 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Center to Eliminate Health Disparities, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA. mcmasel@utmb.edu |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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African Continental Ancestry Group Body Mass Index Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale Cognition Disorders / ethnology*, psychology Educational Status European Continental Ancestry Group Exercise* Female Health Status Hispanic Americans Humans Longitudinal Studies Male Memory Disorders / ethnology*, psychology Middle Aged United States |
| Grant Support | |
ID/Acronym/Agency:
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1R01AG031178-01A1S1/AG/NIA NIH HHS; P50 CA105631-05/CA/NCI NIH HHS; P50CA105631/CA/NCI NIH HHS; T32 AG000270-11/AG/NIA NIH HHS; T32 AG00270/AG/NIA NIH HHS |
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