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Luba · 05-25-2006, 10:05 AM

from Irishhealth:

Middle aged people who are obese are at an increased risk of developing dementia later in life; results from a major new study.

Over 10,000 people were involved in the study which took place over a 27-year period.

The participants underwent detailed health checks from 1964-1973. They were all aged 40-44; then they were followed up in the 1990's. Information gathered included medical history, medical conditions and body mass index. During the follow-up, researchers found that 713 (7%) had been diagnosed with dementia. They also found obese people -those with BMI of 30 or more- were 74% more likely to have dementia compared with those of a healthy weight. Overall, the risk appeared greater among women. Obese women were 200% more likely to have dementia than those of a healthy weight.

The study added that while an increase in dementia cases is already expected, due to the fact that people now live longer; failure to contain the present epidemic of obesity may lead to an even greater number of cases.

05-25-2006, 10:05 AM	#1 (permalink)
Luba Moderator Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 12,798	Obesity ups demential risk from Irishhealth: Middle aged people who are obese are at an increased risk of developing dementia later in life; results from a major new study. Over 10,000 people were involved in the study which took place over a 27-year period. The participants underwent detailed health checks from 1964-1973. They were all aged 40-44; then they were followed up in the 1990's. Information gathered included medical history, medical conditions and body mass index. During the follow-up, researchers found that 713 (7%) had been diagnosed with dementia. They also found obese people -those with BMI of 30 or more- were 74% more likely to have dementia compared with those of a healthy weight. Overall, the risk appeared greater among women. Obese women were 200% more likely to have dementia than those of a healthy weight. The study added that while an increase in dementia cases is already expected, due to the fact that people now live longer; failure to contain the present epidemic of obesity may lead to an even greater number of cases.