People who are obese in middle age are at almost four times greater risk of developing dementias such as Alzheimer’s disease in later life than people of normal weight, according to a study published in the journal Neurology on 2 May.
The study found a 71% increased risk of dementia associated with being overweight during mid life and an almost four-fold increased risk associated with being obese at this time.
Research
- Xu WL, Atti AR, Gatz M et al. Midlife overweight and obesity increase late-life dementia risk A population-based twin study. Neurology, May 3 2011
Sources
- Being overweight ‘linked to dementia’. BBC News, May 3 2011
- Obesity in middle age increases risk of dementia. The Guardian, May 3 2011