The relationship between memory complaints, activity and perceived health status

Subjective memory complaints ( SMC ) is a possible symptom of mild cognitive impairment which may progress to dementia. The present study examines the relationship of physical activity ( PA ), cognitive activity ( CA ), social activity ( SA ), and perceived health status ( HS ) with SMC for middle age and older adults. Participants were from the MIDUS II study (Midlife in the United States) recruited in 2004–2006 (Mean age = 55.99; N = 3030). Hierarchical multiple regression was performed with SMC as the dependent variable, along with PA , CA , SA , and HS as the independent variables. The study revealed that SMC was strongly related to PA , CA , and HS , while controlling covariates. Further, HS had the strongest link with SMC among these predictors while interaction effects ( PA × HS , CA × HS , and SA × HS ) were insignificant. In addition, different results were achieved in younger versus older groups. Participants with more CA , PA and perception of better health had lower frequency of memory complaints.