International Journal of Health Sciences and Research DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20210709 Vol.11; Issue: 7; July 2021 Website: www.ijhsr.org Original Research Article ISSN: 2249-9571 International Journal of Health Sciences and Research (www.ijhsr.org) 58 Vol.11; Issue: 7; July 2021 The Relationship between Body Mass Index and Cognitive Function in Young Adults - A Correlational Study Kena H Patel 1 , Jalpa Parikh 2 1 Postgraduate Physiotherapy Student, Ahmedabad Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS), Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India 2 MPT Neurology, PhD Scholar Gujarat University Lecturer, PG Guide, Ahmedabad Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS), Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India Corresponding Author: Kena H Patel ABSTRACT Background: Cognitive functions are conscious mental activities such as thinking, remembering, learning and using language. The function of cognition is the ability of attention, memory, judgement, problem solving and executive abilities such as planning, evaluating and monitoring. Body mass index (BMI) is an estimate of body fat based on height and weight. It can help determine whether a person is at an unhealthy or healthy weight. Several studies indicate that cognitive function is impaired in elderly population with respect to BMI and also indicate that greater BMI in midlife is associated with higher risk of cognitive impairment. So, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between body mass index and cognitive function in young adults. Methodology: A "Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) scale" was filled by the 134 young adults (18 to 35 years) through interview method. Result: Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 20. Pearson's test of correlation was applied between outcome measures. There is a weak negative but statistically significant correlation found between body mass index (BMI) and MOCA scores (r = -o.174). Conclusion: This study demonstrated weak negative correlation between body mass index and cognitive function in young adults. Keywords: Body mass index, Cognitive function, Young adults INTRODUCTION Cognitive functions are conscious mental activities such as thinking, remembering, learning and using language [1] . The function of cognition is the ability of attention, memory, judgement, problem solving and executive abilities such as planning, evaluating and monitoring [1] . Superior cognitive function is key to maintain a high quality of life as it helps individuals carry out day-to-day activities. BMI stands for body mass index. It was developed in 1832 by a Belgian mathematician named Lambert Adolphe Jacques Quetelet [2] . Body mass index (BMI) is an estimate of body fat based on height and weight [2] . It can help determine whether a person is at an unhealthy or healthy weight [2] . The BMI is a simple, inexpensive and easy screening method for weight category –underweight (<18.5kg/m²), healthy weight (18.5 – 24.9kg/m²), overweight (25.0 – 29.9kg/m²), obese class I (30.0-34.9kg/m²), obese class II (35.0-39.9kg/m²), obese class III (>40kg/m²) [2] . BMI is affected by both fat and fat free mass which may have opposite effects on health [3] . According to the WHO, over 1.9 billion adults (39% adults) were overweight