Obesity Linked to Dementia

There is yet another reason to lose a little from your middle. A new study conducted by the Journal of the American Academy of Neurology found that, “central obesity in midlife increased the risk of dementia.” Central obesity is normally apparent in people with an apple shaped body, thick waist or pot belly. The study found that people with apple shaped bodies are three times more likely to suffer from dementia in later life.

The connection between obesity, dementia, heart disease and diabetes has long been understood. However, the most interesting information gained through this study was that visceral body fat (fat that resides in the mid-section and surrounds internal organs deep within the abdominal cavity) appears to be more dangerous to overall health.

Lead author of the study Dr. Rachel Whitmer said, “people need to know if they are apples or pears.”