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- November 2009
- Apple-shape may increase risk of dementia
Apple-shape may increase risk of dementia
27 November 2009: Women who carry extra weight around their waist (an ‘apple-shape’) are twice as likely to develop dementia when they get older, according to new research.
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The study, published this week in the journal Neurology, looked at how body shape can affect a woman’s risk of developing dementia as she gets older. Scientists studied a group of 1,500 Swedish women. They asked the women, aged 38 to 60, about their health and lifestyle and took body measurements including weight, height, and hip and waist circumference. The scientists then repeated the testing four times over a 32-year period.
The scientists found that 161 of the women developed dementia, at an average age of 76 years. They also found that women in middle age who had extra weight around the waist rather than around the hips and thighs were twice as likely to develop dementia in later life.
Dr Sneh Khemka, medical director for Bupa International, commented: “This study is interesting, well-designed and ran over a long period of time. However, it raises a number of questions. The scientists only looked at a sample of Swedish women. Further research is needed using a more varied group of people to confirm these findings.
“At present, we are not sure what causes the diseases that result in dementia. However, it is thought that taking regular exercise, not smoking, eating healthily and keeping mentally active may help to reduce your risk of developing vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease. If you think you may be developing dementia, visit your GP for advice.”
Key facts
- There are many different types of dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB).
- Symptoms of dementia include memory loss, problems finding the right words for what you want to say, feeling increasingly disorientated, having trouble thinking clearly and having difficulties with practical tasks that you used to do easily.
- Dementia mostly affects people over the age of 65.
- Around 30 million people worldwide have dementia. By 2050 the number is predicted to rise to over 100 million.
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Read the study
Gustafson D, Backman K, Waern M, et al. Adiposity indicators and dementia over 32 years in Sweden. Neurology 2009; 73:1559-1566. DOI:10.1212/WNL.0b013e3181c0d4b6
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If you think you may be developing dementia, visit your GP for advice.
Dr Sneh Khemka
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