Table 1.
Characteristics and mean scores for memory and search speed at age 60+ years, by lifestyle behaviour profiles and dichotomous covariates.
| Variable | N | Memory at age 60+ years | P | Search speed at age 60+ years | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smoking at age: | |||||
| 36 years | |||||
| Non-smoker | 780 | 25.00 (5.88) | <0.001 | 273.47 (73.13) | 0.002 |
| 1–20 c/day | 200 | 24.18 (6.37) | 266.7 (69.88) | ||
| 20+ cig/day | 38 | 21.23 (7.33) | 233.26 (59.33) | ||
| 43 years | |||||
| Non-smoker | 816 | 25.05 (5.95) | <0.001 | 274.45 (72.55) | 0.001 |
| 1–20 c/day | 159 | 23.99 (6.05) | 258.60 (68.67) | ||
| 20+ cig/day | 43 | 20.72 (7.05) | 242.83 (73.49) | ||
| Midlife score: | |||||
| Non-smoker | 744 | 25.05 (5.90) | <0.001 | 274.51 (73.69) | <0.001 |
| Moderate smoker | 252 | 24.07 (6.30) | 263.48 (67.50) | ||
| Heavy smoker | 22 | 20.18 (7.25) | 221.81 (59.74) | ||
| Change in smoking: | |||||
| Non-smoker | 744 | 25.05 (5.90) | 0.005 | 274.51 (73.69) | 0.011 |
| Increase | 55 | 22.89 (5.91) | 254.63 (65.05) | ||
| Decrease | 79 | 24.77 (6.51) | 272.29 (60.10) | ||
| Constant med/heavy | 140 | 23.52 (6.60) | 255.44 (72.33) | ||
| Physical activity at age: | |||||
| 36 years | |||||
| Inactive | 324 | 23.82 (5.83) | <0.001 | 264.87 (72.81) | 0.138 |
| Moderate active | 275 | 24.61 (5.98) | 270.04 (68.14) | ||
| Most active | 419 | 25.44 (6.24) | 275.49 (74.58) | ||
| 43 years | |||||
| Inactive | 475 | 23.85 (6.13) | <0.001 | 263.83 (69.38) | <0.001 |
| Moderate active | 251 | 25.15 (6.05) | 267.10 (69.13) | ||
| Most active | 292 | 25.69 (5.84) | 284.76 (78.01) | ||
| Midlife score: | |||||
| Inactive | 221 | 23.37 (6.01) | <0.001 | 259.08 (74.61) | 0.003 |
| Moderate active | 608 | 24.81 (5.98) | 270.87 (68.78) | ||
| Most active | 189 | 25.90 (6.20) | 283.43 (79.00) | ||
| Change in physical activity: | |||||
| Inactive | 221 | 23.37 (6.01) | <0.001 | 259.08 (74.61) | 0.003 |
| Increase | 164 | 25.03 (5.35) | 282.39 (74.40) | ||
| Decrease | 354 | 24.61 (6.30) | 266.84 (66.91) | ||
| Constant active | 279 | 25.68 (6.08) | 277.72 (74.71) | ||
| Diet at age: | |||||
| 36 years | |||||
| Low quality | 564 | 24.01 (6.19) | <0.001 | 267.26 (69.12) | 0.096 |
| High quality | 454 | 25.55 (5.84) | 274.85 (76.14) | ||
| 43 years | |||||
| Low quality | 521 | 23.72 (6.13) | <0.001 | 267.24 (69.30) | 0.124 |
| High quality | 497 | 25.72 (5.86) | 274.21 (75.41) | ||
| Midlife score: | |||||
| Low quality | 234 | 22.51 (5.90) | <0.001 | 260.02 (67.96) | 0.010 |
| High quality | 784 | 25.34 (5.99) | 273.81 (73.41) | ||
| Change in diet: | |||||
| Constant low quality | 234 | 22.55 (5.90) | <0.001 | 260.02 (67.96) | 0.022 |
| Increase | 330 | 25.06 (6.18) | 272.39 (69.57) | ||
| Decrease | 94 | 23.98 (5.44) | 263.80 (71.44) | ||
| Constant high | 360 | 25.96 (5.88) | 277.73 (77.16) | ||
| Sex: | |||||
| Male | 490 | 23.72 (5.94) | <0.001 | 265.36 (71.84) | 0.024 |
| Female | 528 | 25.61 (6.07) | 275.54 (72.63) | ||
| Father social class | |||||
| Non-manual | 507 | 26.28 (5.90) | <0.001 | 278.69 (75.64) | <0.001 |
| Manual | 511 | 23.12 (5.84) | 262.66 (68.16) | ||
| Education: | |||||
| <advanced | 567 | 22.77 (5.66) | <0.001 | 263.03 (70.09) | <0.001 |
| ≥advanced | 451 | 27.12 (5.71) | 280.21 (74.17) | ||
| Midlife social class at age: | |||||
| 36 years | |||||
| Non-manual | 617 | 26.24 (5.79) | <0.001 | 280.36 (71.29) | <0.001 |
| Manual | 401 | 22.33 (5.75) | 255.69 (71.62) | ||
| 43 years | |||||
| Non-manual | 696 | 26.08 (5.79) | <0.001 | 276.31 (71.73) | <0.001 |
| Manual | 322 | 21.72 (5.60) | 258.38 (72.42) | ||
| Depression at age: | |||||
| 43 years | |||||
| No symptoms | 966 | 24.80 (6.05) | 0.036 | 271.08 (72.92) | 0.403 |
| Depressive symptoms | 52 | 22.98 (6.47) | 262.46 (61.78) | ||
| 60+ years | |||||
| No symptoms | 805 | 24.85 (6.09) | 0.194 | 270.03 (73.61) | 0.531 |
| Depressive symptoms | 171 | 24.19 (5.74) | 273.87 (69.23) |