Weight gain linked to dementia: study

Dementia and obesity are two of Australia's biggest public health problems and the relationship between them is now one step closer to being understood, thanks to new research from The Australian National University. The review study, conducted by Professor Kaarin Anstey from the Centre for Mental Health Research in the ANU College of Medicine, Biology and Environment, found that people who are very underweight, overweight or obese in mid-life (40-60 years) have an increased risk of developing dementia in late-life (60 upwards). The study synthesised data from high-quality, long-term studies that followed over 25 000 people to see if bodyweight is a risk factor for dementia. Professor Anstey said the review produced evidence that a higher body-mass-index (BMI) is associated with chronic diseases that increase the risk of dementia. 'We found that, in mid-life, being overweight does in fact increase the risk of Alzheimer's Disease. This risk is even greater for those who fall into the category of obese. 'This evidence suggests that, while the hormones present in body-fat were previously believed to protect cognitive function, excess fat in middle age is in fact extremely harmful,' she said.