Overweight people 'more vulnerable to dementia'
Wednesday 4th May 2011
People categorised as overweight during middle age have an increased risk of getting dementia when they are older, research has shown.
Researchers at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm found that compared to individuals of a normal weight, overweight people have a 71 per cent higher chance of developing the neurodegenerative condition.
While obesity and dementia have been previously linked, this is the first study that shows being overweight to be a risk factor for the condition.
The Karolinska Institute's Dr Weili Xu said: "The risk is not as substantial as for those who are obese, but it has public health importance because of this large number of people worldwide who are overweight."
Meanwhile, Dr Susanne Sorensen, head of research at the Alzheimer's Society, has commented that eating fresh fruit and vegetables along with oily fish could help to prevent dementia.
According to the expert, the vitamins and antioxidants in fresh fruit and vegetables could protect the brain, while studies have indicated that fatty acids found in oily fish could protect against dementia.
Written by Megan Smith
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