- Dementia affects more than 55 million people worldwide and the aging of the global population is expected to increase the number of people with dementia in the next decade.
- Obesity, often measured using body mass index (BMI), is a widespread epidemic associated with increased risk of dementia, but the relationship between BMI and dementia risk is not fully understood. not understood.
- In a recent study, researchers found that changes in BMI over time may predict dementia risk.
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However, previous studies of weight change have not examined how patterns of weight gain, stability, or loss predict dementia risk.
A recent study found that patterns of weight gain and subsequent weight loss in middle age were associated with an increased risk of dementia.
The survey results recently
For this study, researchers analyzed data from the Framingham Heart Study. The participant was followed for her 39 years, and her weight was measured approximately every 2–4 years.
They compared weight patterns (stable, increasing, decreasing) in those who developed dementia and those who did not.
They found that lower body mass index (BMI) was associated with increased risk of dementia.
However, upon further investigation, the researchers found a subgroup with a pattern of increasing BMI during middle age and then decreasing. This was particularly relevant to the association between decreased BMI and dementia.
Still, it should be noted that a recent meta-analysis indicates that low BMI may be associated with dementia as a result of reverse causality in the short term.
Dr. David A. Merrill, geriatric psychiatrist and director of the Pacific Brain Health Center at the Pacific Neuroscience Institute in Santa Monica, California, who was not involved in the study, said BMI and dementia risk. He said that the relationship between
“A higher BMI in early middle age followed by a lower BMI in middle age is associated with a higher risk of dementia,” he said. medical news today.
“These findings suggest that adopting healthy eating and exercise habits early in middle age can ultimately [the] Onset of late-life dementia. “
Dr. Merrill added that previous research showing that higher BMI in old age was associated with lower rates of dementia now makes sense.
“Timing is key,” he said.
He pointed out that disease-related weight loss is different from maintaining a healthy weight (which may involve weight loss) through dietary modification and regular physical activity.
“The Framingham study is important in demonstrating the strong link between physical health and brain health. Our personal efforts to maintain stable health throughout life have been found to lead to more successful brain aging later in life.
– Dr. David A. Merrill, Geriatric Psychiatrist
Paul E. Schulz, Ph.D., a neurologist at UT Health Houston and Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center, who was not involved in the study, found an association between obesity in middle age and an increased risk of dementia later in life. has already been established.
But he added that the Framingham Heart Study yielded different findings than previous studies on weight patterns and dementia risk.
“[Whe Framingham Heart study] We found that a decrease in BMI (weight-to-height ratio) is associated with an increased risk of dementia,” said Dr. Schulz.
“There was still a period in early middle age when an increase in BMI followed by a decrease in BMI was a risk for dementia.”
Dr. Schultz said determining the impact on dementia risk in the general public is complex.
“There are many features [of] Weight loss to prevent dementia — lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, lower blood fat, lower blood sugar, and more.
“In the face of all these studies, it is difficult to conclude that obesity should be favored by taking this one study that suggests weight loss is associated with greater dementia. There are several reasons to be cautious about the conclusion that more is good for you.”
Dr. Schulz pointed out that it is important to consider the study results to be associations rather than prospective studies.
“Association studies do not have the power of prospective studies to identify causality. What happens when more sick people lose weight? [sick], they are at risk for dementia. Therefore, it is not weight loss that causes dementia, but another factor. [the illness], which causes both weight loss and dementia. “
– Dr. Paul E. Schultz, Neurologist
Dr. Schultz further explained the concept with an example.
“Dementia often causes a loss of taste and smell years before the onset of dementia. When food tastes bad, people eat less and lose weight. is a symptom of dementia, not a cause of dementia.”
He added that changes in taste and smell can occur 20 years before cognitive changes begin.
“Thus, weight loss years before dementia may actually be caused by dementia,” Dr. Schultz explained, emphasizing that this is a novel and unexpected result. Did.
Until the current research confirms or refutes, Dr. Schultz believes that maintaining a healthy weight by following a balanced diet and practicing a healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk of dementia. said it could help reduce
“My personal opinion is to keep eating healthy and doing physical and mental exercise to reduce the risk factors for dementia (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, etc.) and also reduce the risk of dementia. ‘ said Dr. Schultz. He said.
Jason Krellman, Ph.D., ABPP is a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist, rehabilitation psychologist,
Associate Professor of Neuropsychology in Neurology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
Although he was not involved in the new research, MNT Maintaining a healthy BMI in middle age, or losing weight to achieve a healthy BMI, is associated with a lower risk of dementia later in life.
“This and possibly other aspects of an individual’s health and lifestyle habits influence the likelihood of developing brain disease later in life. Improving obesity and reducing cardiovascular risk also means it is effective in reducing dementia risk: for example, if you are overweight at age 45, losing weight at age 75 may It can reduce the risk of dementia, and we routinely recommend improving cardiovascular health and minimizing risk factors to reduce the risk of dementia.”
– Dr. Jason Krellman, ABPP
“What keeps your heart and blood vessels healthy also helps keep your brain healthy,” says Dr. Krellman.
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