Australia’s biggest public health problems dementia and obesity seem to be interconnected. A recent study triggered by The Australian National University asserts that gaining weight in mid-life paves way for dementia later. The study findings apparently have major implications in the medical terrain.
At the time of the study, scientists evaluated data from high-quality, long-term studies that followed over 25 000 people to see if bodyweight is a risk factor for dementia. It was noted that very underweight, overweight or obese individuals in mid-life that is 40-60 years supposedly have a heighten threat of developing dementia later. It was asserted that a higher BMI is linked with chronic diseases that increase the risk of dementia. Authors observed that being overweight in mid-life raises the chances of Alzheimer’s disease. This risk appears greater among those who are obese.
It was mentioned that the hormones present in body-fat during middle age may be harmful. Professor Kaarin Anstey from the Centre for Mental Health Research in the ANU College of Medicine, Biology and Environment, lead investigator and colleagues assume that reducing the number of overweight and obese middle-aged adults can also decrease the number of dementia cases in the coming years.
The study seems to have significant implications in the health section.