Mid-life obesity can increase risk of dementia
Obesity in mid-life has been linked to a heightened risk of dementia in later life, according to a new study.
The researchers at the University of Oxford found that the age at which a person is obese seems to be a key factor in the risk of developing dementia – with an apparent tripling in the risk for people who are obese in their thirties.
The observational study published online in the Postgraduate Medical Journal found that the increase risk of dementia declined as obesity was diagnoses later in life, and those who were obese over the age of 70 were no more likely to develop dementia than those without obesity.
Dr Clare Walton, Research Communications Manager at Alzheimer’s Society, said:
‘These results support existing evidence that obesity in mid-life increases the risk of developing dementia. The finding that people who are obese in their thirties are three times more likely to get dementia is striking, but it is difficult to draw firm conclusions from a study where only 19 of the 451,232 people observed were obese in their thirties and went on to develop dementia.
Given the growing body of evidence that being overweight in mid-life rather than in later years seems to be the bigger risk factor for dementia, it is never too early to start making healthy lifestyle choices. We know what is good for your heart is good for your head and that the best way of reducing your risk of developing dementia is to eat a balanced diet, maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly and get your blood pressure and cholesterol checked.'
Given that this is an observational study, no definitive conclusions can be drawn about cause and effect. However, the findings support existing published studies which report an increased risk of dementia in people who are obese under the age of 60, but a reduced risk in older obese people.