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Fertility History and Cognitive Function in Late Life: The Case of Mexico

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  • Joseph L Saenz
  • Carlos Díaz-Venegas
  • Eileen M Crimmins
  • Deborah Carr

Abstract

ObjectivesMexico is aging rapidly, which makes identification of life-course factors influencing cognition a public health priority. We evaluate how the number of children one has relates to cognition in Mexico, a rapidly aging country that experienced fertility declines across recent cohorts of older people.MethodWe analyze older adults (age 50+, n = 11,380) from the 2015 Mexican Health and Aging Study. Respondents were categorized by number of children ever born (0–1, 2–3, 4–5, 6+). Using ordinary least squares regression, we estimate independent associations between fertility history and cognition accounting for demographic, socioeconomic, health, and psychosocial factors.ResultsWe observed an inverse U-shaped relationship between number of children (peaking at 2–3 children) and cognitive function, regardless of gender. In regression analyses adjusted for confounding variables, having 0–1 (vs 2–3 children) was associated with poorer cognitive function only for females. Regardless of gender, having 6+ (vs 2–3 children) was associated with poorer cognitive function. These associations remained significant even after accounting for socioeconomic, health, employment, and psychosocial factors.DiscussionOur results suggest fertility history may play a role in late-life cognitive health and provide evidence that both low and high fertility may relate to poorer cognitive function. We discuss differences by gender.

Suggested Citation

  • Joseph L Saenz & Carlos Díaz-Venegas & Eileen M Crimmins & Deborah Carr, 2021. "Fertility History and Cognitive Function in Late Life: The Case of Mexico," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 76(4), pages 140-152.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:geronb:v:76:y:2021:i:4:p:e140-e152.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/geronb/gbz129
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    Cited by:

    1. Weng, Yulei & Yang, Xiaocong, 2023. "Fertility behaviors and mid-late-life health status in China: From a life-course perspective," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 338(C).
    2. Zhang, Yan & Fletcher, Jason & Lu, Qiongshi & Song, Jie, 2023. "Gender differences in the association between parity and cognitive function: Evidence from the UK biobank," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 320(C).

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