%0 Journal Article
%T Fertility History and Cognitive Function in Late Life: The Case of Mexico.
%A Saenz JL
%A Díaz-Venegas C
%A Crimmins EM
%J J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci
%V 76
%N 4
%D 03 2021 14
%M 31603514
%F 4.942
%R 10.1093/geronb/gbz129
%X Mexico 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.<BR>We 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.<BR>We 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.<BR>Our 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.