Belly Fat Linked to Dementia, Says New Study
Have you heard that having a big belly in your 40s can increase your risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia decades later? According to a new study issued this week via an online issue of the journal Neurology, it’s not just about your weight. While previous research has found evidence that obesity in middle age raises the chances of developing dementia later, the new work found a separate risk from storing a lot of fat in the abdomen. Even people who weren’t overweight were susceptible. The author of the study is Rachel Whitmer of the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research in Oakland, Calif.
March 28th, 2008 at 8:58 am
Wow. Sounds like I better start counting my calories again
March 28th, 2008 at 9:34 am
The only problem with my belly fat and dementia is that I keep forgetting I have belly fat and dementia.
I know, I know, I am very guilty of belly fat. The only thing that keeps it down for me is walking, walking, walking.
March 28th, 2008 at 10:05 am
[...] March 27, 2008 by The Bruce STUNNING new research from Kaiser Permanente Division of Research has linked dementia to mid-life waist size. This means that if you are 40 and fat you’re three times more likely to suffer from dementia related mental decline as you age. [...]
March 28th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
We were talking about this at work yesterday but then I completely forgot about it – ut-oh!
March 28th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
It’s called visceral fat, and I’m a carrier. It also causes heart, kidney and liver damage. If you have a fat ass, you’re cool.
March 28th, 2008 at 10:09 pm
Oh dear, I always knew I was beyond redemption with my sausages and whipped cream, now I’m heading in the direction of forgetting where I put them?
Yack.
XO
WWW
March 29th, 2008 at 12:15 am
Great! My dad has Alzheimer’s which already puts me at a higher risk and now I learn that all the fat I have collected over the years is going to make it worse. What’s a girl do? I’m heading to the gym!
March 29th, 2008 at 11:07 am
Well now–that’s depressing!
March 29th, 2008 at 11:39 am
I agree with Melodieann! My mom died of Alzheimers disease a few years ago and I am at a higher risk which worries me. I have to take care of this belly fat and hit the gym. I strive to exercise my mind each day to keep it sharp, little did I realize that exercising my body is just as important. Great topic!
March 29th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
My sister called me with this news flash and we both agreed to whip out the tape measures to see if our respective bellies put us at risk. We’re both kind of slim but have disappearing waistlines. And our mother has Alzheimer’s. Well, what’s one more worry to add on the pile of aging woes?
March 30th, 2008 at 9:17 am
I saw this on the web the other day also. I need to drop 10 pounds and fast. now what was that I was saying???
March 30th, 2008 at 10:29 am
So does that mean if I lose 10 pounds I’ll actually remember where I put down my keys and my glasses? That alone would be worth it!
March 30th, 2008 at 10:44 am
Janet: Yes! Now, go find yer keys and glasses.
March 30th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
ut oh, I’m screwed.
March 31st, 2008 at 8:34 pm
10 pounds? Only 10 pounds? I find it ironic that those who are probably “just right” worry, when the rest of us don’t.
Relax. Being over-conscientious and hyper aware of every medical report isn’t healthy either.
Butter is bad. Butter is better. Eggs bad. Eggs good. Need I even mention chocolate?
March 31st, 2008 at 8:36 pm
Another bad thing – talking about belly fat makes all those goggle ads pop up screaming “Belly Fat” all over this blog