Obesity and Alzheimer’s disease risk

A recent study coming out of Johns Hopkins University found an association between obesity and Alzheimers disease and other forms of dementia. In a systematic review and analysis of studies looking at the association between measures of severity of obesity (waist circumference, skin-fold thickness) and dementia, a moderate association was found between obesity and risks for dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Significantly, all of the studies reviewed showed an increased risk of dementia with an increase in waist circumference or an increase in skin-fold thickness. The authors note, “considering the ‘alarming rise in obesity’ in industrialized countries, as well as the prevalence of dementia (6-10% of persons over 65 years of age), the results of this meta-analysis add to the significant body of evidence linking obesity to a variety of disease states”.

Beydoun MA, Beydoun HA, Wang Y, : "Obesity and central obesity as risk factors for incident dementia and its subtypes: a systematic review and meta-analysis," , Obes Rev, 2008 Mar 6.