Weight Gain and Dementia: Here's The Skinny On Old Age And Neurodegeneartion

Researchers at Britain's Oxon Epidemiology and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine aren't telling older folks to put on a few pounds. Just like previous findings that support a healthy lifestyle, exercise and healthy eats are probably the best plan of action for a long life. But could keeping on an extra pound or two help prevent dementia in old age? Maybe.

Researchers analyzed medical records of close to two million people with the average age of 55 for two decades and found that the more body fat they had, the less likely they were to develop dementia. Those who were overweight were 18 percent less likely to develop dementia, and people who were classified as obese had a 24 percent reduction.

On the other hand, underweight people had a 39 percent greater risk of developing dementia compared to those who were of healthy weight.

Of course, the study's findings are a bit controversial according to lead study author Nawab Qiziblash, MD. Yet Harvard University professor Deborah Blacker, MD, a geriatric psychiatrist who conducts research on Alzheimer's, a neurodegernative health issue that's estimated to affect nearly 36 million worldwide, says the findings are "not as surprising as they seem."

"Getting to late life is less likely when you're overweight. If you do get to late life if you're overweight, it's more likely that other things are in your favor."

Weight gain or excessive weight is linked to a long list of health problems, including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and other issues that oftentimes go hand and hand. Yet sometimes, for older adults, being underweight can be a severe sign that something's wrong. Sometimes, it can even be a sign that there's something wrong with a person's mental health, including the onset of dementia.

Of course, more research will be needed to confirm a definite link. Future studies are currently in the works. 

More information regarding the study can be seen here. 

For more great science stories and general news, please visit our sister site, Headlines and Global News (HNGN).