Study: Increasing or decreasing weight in old age increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease

Health and Medical

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – Increasing weight or losing weight in old age increases the risk of dementia, a recent scientific study has revealed.

The study found that people over the age of 60 years who are 10 percent overweight or lose weight in the same amount over two years are 20 percent more likely to have dementia.

Researchers have linked obesity to inflammation, which may lead to decreased cognition, and weight loss may be a sign of another disease related to dementia, such as heart disease or cancer.

Dementia

"Weight gain and weight loss may be important risk factors associated with dementia," said researchers from Kyung-bokk National University in South Korea led by Professor Jin Won Kwon of the College of Pharmacy.

"Our findings indicate that continuous control of weight, disease management and maintaining a healthy lifestyle are useful in preventing dementia, even in later life," Dr Kwon said.

Dementia

Dementia is a global health concern that is getting worse as we continue to live longer. About 46.8 million people around the world were diagnosed with this condition in 2015, which cost about 642 billion pounds ($ 818 billion) that year alone.

At the same time, the prevalence of obesity worldwide has increased by more than 100% over the past four decades. Because dementia is an irreversible progressive condition, studies have focused on how to prevent it, with reference to body mass index.

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