London, May 21: Scientists have found a link between obesity and dementia. The study, conducted by researchers from the University School of Medicine in Boston, Massachusetts, involving more than 700 middle-aged people has shown that higher the levels of visceral fat – the fatty tissue surrounding the organs – the smaller the total brain volume.
“We have all heard how a beer belly can be bad for our heart, but this study suggests carrying excess abdominal weight could also increase your risk of getting dementia,” telegraph.co.uk quoted Dr Susanne Sorensen, head of research at the Alzheimer’s Society, as saying.
“This is not really surprising as a large stomach is associated with high blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes – all major risk factors for dementia.”
“While this large and robust study builds on the growing literature looking at links between obesity and dementia more work is needed. One in three people over 65 will die with dementia yet dementia research is drastically underfunded. We must invest now to make the advances necessary,” she added.
The preliminary findings of the research are published in the Annals of Neurology.Link between obesity, dementia found
May 21st, 2010 – 1:10 am ICT by IANS –
London, May 20 (IANS) Scientists have found a link between obesity and dementia.
The study, conducted by researchers from the University School of Medicine in Boston, Massachusetts, involving more than 700 middle-aged people has shown that higher the levels of visceral fat – the fatty tissue surrounding the organs – the smaller the total brain volume.
“We have all heard how a beer belly can be bad for our heart, but this study suggests carrying excess abdominal weight could also increase your risk of getting dementia,” telegraph.co.uk quoted Dr Susanne Sorensen, head of research at the Alzheimer’s Society, as saying.
“This is not really surprising as a large stomach is associated with high blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes – all major risk factors for dementia.”
“While this large and robust study builds on the growing literature looking at links between obesity and dementia more work is needed. One in three people over 65 will die with dementia yet dementia research is drastically underfunded. We must invest now to make the advances necessary,” she added.
The preliminary findings of the research are published in the Annals of Neurology.
–IANS–