Belly fat and dementia risk

Belly fat in women linked to 39% higher risk of dementia within 15 years a new study finds.
belly fat dementia risk

The size of a woman’s belly could be a key indicator of her risk for developing dementia in the future. *

“Dementia is a real risk of living a long life. Knowing you are at higher risk should give you greater incentive to plan.”

Jesse Slome, director of the American Association of Critical Illness Insurance

Belly Fat Dementia Risk, June 24, 2020. The size of your belly is a key indicator of a woman’s risk for developing dementia. New research finds that above average belly fat can lead to a 39% increased risk of dementia within 15 years. The study is published in the International Journal of Epidemiology.

The study looked at men and women over age 50. Their dementia risk is 28% when taking body mass index and waist circumference into account together. The researchers measured participants’ height, weight and waist circumference. They followed up with study participants an average of 11 years later to see whether they’d been diagnosed with dementia.

The researchers studied 6,582 subjects within the English Longitudinal Study. Participants were age 50 or older. The study program has been monitoring more than 18,000 subjects since 200. Every other year the study participants are interviewed. Survey topics include household demographics, social participation, cognitive function and weight.

As part of their work focused strictly on obesity and dementia the researchers controlled for potential confounding variables. These included hypertension, diabetes, smoking and known genetic risk factors for dementia. Those who developed dementia were an average of 71.8 years old at the time of their baseline assessment. The participants free of dementia had a mean age of 61.9 years old when they entered the study.

Supplemental health care planning needs of women

“Women need to plan for very real consequences associated with living a long life,” states Jesse Slome, director of the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance. “Dementia is a real risk of living a long life. Knowing you are at higher risk should give you greater incentive to plan.” For women over 50, Slome advocates having a modest long-term care plan. To connect with a long-term care insurance agent visit the Association’s website.

Women in their 40s also need planning. Between age 40 and 70 women face a real risk of being diagnosed with cancer. “When that happens they will face health care costs and need time off from work to undergo treatment and recovery. Today’s so many women are their own can benefit from a lump sum cash benefit. Learn what critical illness insurance covers,” he advises.

Critical illness insurance association best source for statistics

* Source: English Longitudinal Study
Photo credit: Image by Bruno /Germany from Pixabay

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