Dementia: Patterns of weight gain or loss later in life may predict risk

(Paul Ian Cross/ Medical News Today) — The World Health Organization (WHO) defines dementia as a “syndrome in which there is deterioration in cognitive function beyond what might be expected from the usual consequences of biological aging.”

Modifiable risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related dementias include obesity.

Yet previous research on body weight changes has not examined how patterns of weight gain, stability, or loss may predict dementia risk — until now.

A recent study found that patterns of weight gain during midlife followed by weight loss were associated with increased dementia risk.

The findings were recently published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia. (…)