Obesity may be linked to dementia
March 7th, 2011 - 4:25 pm ICT by IANSSydney, March 7 (IANS) Obesity, which is associated with cardiovascular problems, may also be linked with dementia in later life.
A study found that people who are very underweight, overweight or obese in mid-life (40-60 years) have an increased risk of developing dementia in late-life (60 onwards).
Symptoms of dementia include memory loss, forgetting simple words, poor judgement and inability to carry out daily chores.
The study was conducted by Kaarin Anstey from the Centre for Mental Health Research at the Australian National University.
The study synthesised data from high-quality, long-term studies that followed over 25,000 people to see if bodyweight is a risk factor for dementia, according to a Australian National University statement.
Anstey said the review produced evidence that a higher body-mass-index (BMI) is associated with chronic diseases that increase the risk of dementia.
“We found that, in mid-life, being overweight does in fact increase the risk of Alzheimer’s Disease. This risk is even greater for those who fall into the category of obese.
“This evidence suggests that, while the hormones present in body-fat were previously believed to protect cognitive function, excess fat in middle age is in fact extremely harmful,” she added.
- Middle-age obesity can bring about dementia: Oz study - Mar 05, 2011
- Dementia linked to midlife weight crisis - May 03, 2011
- Midlife crisis could be linked with dementia - May 08, 2012
- Simple lifestyle changes can prevent Alzheimer's - Jul 19, 2011
- Healthy lifestyle can help cut Alzheimer risk - Jul 19, 2011
- Driving mistakes increase with age - May 17, 2011
- Heavy drinking 'cuts dementia risk' - Aug 27, 2009
- Fat hormone linked to Alzheimer's disease - Dec 16, 2009
- Hormone therapy use may increase or decrease dementia risk - Nov 19, 2010
- Insulin sensitivity may explain obesity, memory problems link - Oct 20, 2010
- People with higher protein hormone levels at lower risk of dementia, Alzheimer's - Dec 16, 2009
- 500,000 kids in Britain risk liver disease - Jul 04, 2011
- Overweight elderly live longer: Study - Jan 29, 2010
- Middle aged obesity can trigger Alzheimer's - May 03, 2011
- Mid-life stress ups Alzheimer's risk for women - Aug 17, 2010
Tags: anstey, being overweight, body fat, body mass index, body mass index bmi, bodyweight, cardiovascular problems, chronic diseases, cognitive function, daily chores, dementia, fact increase, hormones, memory loss, mental health research, middle age, poor judgement, risk factor, sydney march, symptoms of dementia