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Peer-reviewedCC BY-NCJournal of Holistic Nursing and Midwifery

Relationship Between Body Mass Index and Cognitive Function in Iranian Nurses

  • Mojgan Shirvani1
  • Gholamhossein Halvani2
  • Sara Jambarsang3
  • Amir Houshang Mehrparvar4
4 affiliations
  1. 1Ergonomics (MSc.), Department of Ergonomics, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
  2. 2Assistant Professor, Department of Ergonomics, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
  3. 3Associate Professor, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of public health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
  4. 4Professor, Industrial Diseases Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
PDFCite

Abstract

Introduction: Nurses, due to their mental workload, need a high level of cognitive function. Many factors may affect cognitive function. Body Mass Index (BMI) is among the factors that have been proposed to affect cognitive function. Objective: This study aimed to assess the relationship between BMI and cognitive function among Iranian nurses. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 138 nurses selected through proportional stratified sampling from three main general teaching hospitals affiliated with Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences in Yazd, Iran. Participants were divided into normal-weight (n=58), overweight (n=40), and obese (n=40), groups. Their attention and reaction time were assessed by the Stroop Color and Word Test (SCWT), and working memory was assessed by the Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS). Data analysis was done using analysis of variance and univariate and multiple linear regression models (Model 1: Crude, including BMI; Model 2: Adjusted for gender and age; Model 3: Adjusted for gender, age, shift work, physical activity, employment status, and marital status). Results: The mean age, BMI, and work experience of nurses were 35.78±8.96 years, 26.66±5.34 Kg/ m2, and 10.42±7.47 years, respectively. Forward visual memory (P=0.004), backward visual memory (P=0.03), memory span (P=0.02) and interference score (P=0.001) were significantly different among BMI groups. After adjusting for confounding factors, memory span (β=-0.91, 95% CI: -1.53 to -0.29, P=0.001 in the third model; β=-0.7, 95% CI; -1.34 to -0.14, P=0.001 in the second model; β=-0.8, 95% CI: -1.36 to 0.23, P=0.001 for the first model), forward visual memory (β=-1.87, 95% CI: -2.9 to 0.84, P=0.009 in the third model; β=-1.5, 95% CI; -2.57 to 0.57, P=0.004 in the second model; β=-1.6, 95% CI: -2.55 to 0.67, P=0.005 for the first model) and backward visual memory (β=-1.22, 95% CI: -2.40 to 0.04, P=0.001 in the third model; β=-1.19, 95% CI; -2.33 to 0.06, P=0.001 in the second model; β=-1.2, 95% CI: -2.35 to 0.21, P=0.001 for the first model)were significantly associated with obesity. Conclusion: Nurses’ BMI is significantly associated with their working memory (memory span and forward and backward visual memory) and attention. Obese nurses are more likely to have lower scores in these cognitive functions than those with normal BMI.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{shirvani2026relationship,
  title = {{Relationship Between Body Mass Index and Cognitive Function in Iranian Nurses}},
  author = {Mojgan Shirvani and Gholamhossein Halvani and Sara Jambarsang and Amir Houshang Mehrparvar},
  journal = {Journal of Holistic Nursing and Midwifery},
  year = {2026},
  month = sep,
  note = {CC BY-NC},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Relationship Between Body Mass Index and Cognitive Function in Iranian Nurses
AU  - Mojgan Shirvani
AU  - Gholamhossein Halvani
AU  - Sara Jambarsang
AU  - Amir Houshang Mehrparvar
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/09/01
JO  - Journal of Holistic Nursing and Midwifery
AB  - Introduction: Nurses, due to their mental workload, need a high level of cognitive function. Many factors may affect cognitive function. Body Mass Index (BMI) is among the factors that have been proposed to affect cognitive function. Objective: This study aimed to assess the relationship between BMI and cognitive function among Iranian nurses. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 138 nurses selected through proportional stratified sampling from three main general teaching hospitals affiliated with Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences in Yazd, Iran. Participants were divided into normal-weight (n=58), overweight (n=40), and obese (n=40), groups. Their attention and reaction time were assessed by the Stroop Color and Word Test (SCWT), and working memory was assessed by the Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS). Data analysis was done using analysis of variance and univariate and multiple linear regression models (Model 1: Crude, including BMI; Model 2: Adjusted for gender and age; Model 3: Adjusted for gender, age, shift work, physical activity, employment status, and marital status). Results: The mean age, BMI, and work experience of nurses were 35.78±8.96 years, 26.66±5.34 Kg/ m2, and 10.42±7.47 years, respectively. Forward visual memory (P=0.004), backward visual memory (P=0.03), memory span (P=0.02) and interference score (P=0.001) were significantly different among BMI groups. After adjusting for confounding factors, memory span (β=-0.91, 95% CI: -1.53 to -0.29, P=0.001 in the third model; β=-0.7, 95% CI; -1.34 to -0.14, P=0.001 in the second model; β=-0.8, 95% CI: -1.36 to 0.23, P=0.001 for the first model), forward visual memory (β=-1.87, 95% CI: -2.9 to 0.84, P=0.009 in the third model; β=-1.5, 95% CI; -2.57 to 0.57, P=0.004 in the second model; β=-1.6, 95% CI: -2.55 to 0.67, P=0.005 for the first model) and backward visual memory (β=-1.22, 95% CI: -2.40 to 0.04, P=0.001 in the third model; β=-1.19, 95% CI; -2.33 to 0.06, P=0.001 in the second model; β=-1.2, 95% CI: -2.35 to 0.21, P=0.001 for the first model)were significantly associated with obesity. Conclusion: Nurses’ BMI is significantly associated with their working memory (memory span and forward and backward visual memory) and attention. Obese nurses are more likely to have lower scores in these cognitive functions than those with normal BMI.
SN  - 2588-3712
SN  - 2588-3720
ER  -