Effect of exercise on the memory of overweight or obese older adults: Systematic review

Abstract

Obesity and overweight in older adults are associated with an increased risk of cognitive diseases, contributing to decreased functional performance. The objective of this review is to analyze the effect of exercise on memory in older adults with obesity or overweight. The methodology uses the words MESH: Population = aged, overweight, obesity; Intervention = exercise; Comparison = control groups; Result = Memory; Design: randomized controlled trial. Searching until December 2021 in PUBMED, SCIELO, BVSALUD, LILACS, TRIP DATABASE, and MEDLINE. Six thousand eight hundred thirty-two items are identified. We analyzed five studies with 214 participants. The mean body mass index is 28.6 ± 1.1 kg/m2, and the initial average Mini mental is 23.6 ± 2.1 points. The intervention with exercise is from twelve to twenty-six weeks. In the random-effects model, exercise improves the mean Mini Mental by MD = 2.6 points (1.7 to 3.4) p < 0.01. Heterogeneity (87.7 %). Exercise improves cognitive function (memory) in older adults who are overweight or obese.