Abdominal fat could increase risk of developing dementia study claims

The preliminary findings of research by the University School of Medicine in Boston are published in Annals of Neurology.

The study of more than 700 middle aged people found an inverse association between visceral fat levels in the abdomen and total brain volume. Lower total brain volume is a strong predictor of incident dementia.  

Alzheimer's Society comment:

'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. 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 will die with dementia yet dementia research is drastically underfunded. We must invest now to make the advances necessary.'

Dr Susanne Sorensen
Head of Research
Alzheimer's Society