Gaining weight in middle age linked to dementia

New research published in the latest issue of Neurology suggests that one of the best ways people can reduce their dementia risk is by controlling their weight - scientists have found that being overweight or obese can be responsible for an 80 percent greater chance of developing the condition. 


These results stayed the same, even when the findings were controlled for other factors such as education, diabetes and vascular disease.

Being overweight was categorized as having a body mass index (BMI) of 25 to 30, while being obese meant having a BMI of more than 30.


Researchers evaluated 8,534 twins 65 and older who had already had their information taken 30 years earlier. Thirty percent were obese.


"Our results contribute to the growing evidence that controlling body weight or losing weight in middle age could reduce your risk of dementia," said Dr. Weili Xu.


Weight is not the only thing that one can do to fight dementia and lead a healthy retirement living - eating properly and exercising has been found to reduce the chance of the condition as well. 


© Copyright