Apple-shape may increase risk of dementia
1 December 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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Dr Paula Franklin, Bupa's director of healthcare development |
The underlying causes of the various illnesses that result in dementia aren't fully understood. However, evidence seems to show that a healthy lifestyle and diet may help to prevent dementia. 
The study, published recently 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 Paula Franklin, director of healthcare development at Bupa, said: "The findings of this study are interesting, but it is important to note that the researchers studied only Swedish women with similar characteristics. Therefore the results may not apply to other groups of people."
Dr Franklin warns that more research is needed to confirm these findings. "Further research with a varied sample of people is needed to see if body shape can affect the risk of developing dementia in later life.
"The underlying causes of the various illnesses that result in dementia aren't fully understood. However, evidence seems to show that a healthy lifestyle and diet may help to prevent dementia. If you think you may be developing dementia, visit your GP."
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Related information
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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