Cognitive function and associated factors in older adults: evidence from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study.

Background: Identification of cognition status and its associated factors permit targeted interventions. This study aimed to: (i) investigate cognitive function of Chinese older adults using a large, nationally representative cohort; and (ii) explore its associated factors from aspects of socio‐demographic, health behaviour, physical and mental health. Methods: Data on 2665 adults aged 65 and older from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study wave 4 in 2018 were analyzed. Information on self‐reported cognition status, socio‐demographic characteristics, health behaviour, physical and mental health status were obtained. Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to explore associated factors. Results: The cognition score was 24.8, with 41.1% of Chinese older adults identified as cognitively impaired. Better cognition was associated with being married, more education, living in a city/town or urban–rural integration zone, moderate night‐time sleep (5–9 h) and post‐lunch napping (less than 90 min), moderate/light physical activity for 30 min to 2 h every day, socially active and good health status; while worse cognition was associated with older age, intensive physical activity every day and more than 4 h a day, greater dependency in activities of daily living and depression. Conclusions: Cognitive impairment is a common health problem in Chinese older adults. Its associated factors are multifaceted, including socio‐demographic characteristics, health behaviour and physical and mental health status. Developing interventions focused on these factors may be an important part of optimising cognition in these populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]