Alzheimer's Society comment on the link between obesity and dementia

Published 7 May 2008

The number of people with dementia in the UK is set to soar to over 1 million people in less than 20 years and there is no cure.

Over 1 million people in less than 20 years and there is no cure. There needs to be a national risk reduction strategy to slow the alarming rise in the numbers Britons being diagnosed with the dementia.

This systematic review consolidates the evidence that being over or under weight increases your chance of developing dementia. People with a large waist circumference are more at risk.

Maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, exercising, not smoking and checking your blood pressure and cholesterol are all important ways to reduce your risk of developing dementia.

To find out more visit the Alzheimer's Society website http://www.challengedementia.org.uk/.

Dr Susanne Sorensen
Head of research
Alzheimer's Society

Notes to editor:

Reference

Obesity and central obesity as risk factors for incident dementia and its subtypes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Published in the May issue of the UK-based Obesity Reviews journal

Key findings

Obesity increases the overall dementia risk dementia by 42% and being underweight increases the risk by 36%.
But the obesity/dementia risk is greater with Alzheimer's Disease (up 80%) and vascular dementia (up 73%).
People who are normal or overweight do not face an increased risk.
Researchers reviewed 10 international studies published since 1995, covering people with various forms of dementia
The risks were greater in studies where sufferers developed Alzheimer's or vascular dementia (linked to high blood pressure, heart disease etc) before the age of 60.