Objectives/Goals: The objective of my study is to examine the relationship between ultra-processed foods, sleep duration, and memory in adults aged 60 years and older. Diet and sleep are often studied independently as modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline; a growing body of evidence suggests a unique nexus between the two with regard to cognitive outcomes. Methods/Study Population: A cross-sectional analysis will be conducted using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) among participants aged 60 years and older from 2011 to 2014. The NOVA system, which classifies food according to the extent of processing, ranging from whole foods to ultra-processed foods, will be used to calculate dietary intake from two 24-hour recalls. Sleep duration will be analyzed using self-reported average hours of sleep per night, and cognitive performance will be evaluated using word recall and verbal fluency tests. Food insecurity, socioeconomic status, education, and race/ethnicity will be analyzed as covariates. Descriptive and multivariable regression analysis will be used to assess statistical associations. Results/Anticipated Results: As ultra-processed foods cause oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, higher consumption of these foods, which are high in fat, sodium, and sugar, is anticipated to be associated with shorter sleep duration and poor memory performance. A dose-response relationship is predicted. These associations are expected to be exacerbated in food-insecure environments, where ultra-processed foods are readily accessible, particularly among individuals with lower socioeconomic status. Data may also reveal differences based on race/ethnicity or educational attainment, highlighting important disparities in the social determinants of health. The study is expected to reveal trends in sleep inequity, where economic disadvantages and food insecurity contribute to shorter sleep durations. Discussion/Significance of Impact: This study seeks to identify modifiable behavioral risk factors for cognitive decline, particularly for older adults. By uncovering how diet and sleep interact to influence brain health, this study can guide practical interventions, such as nutrition and sleep education, to slow cognitive decline and improve quality of life for aging adults.
Marshall et al. (Wed,) studied this question.