+ Dooctor.net - Obesity Increases Risk of Dementia

Obesity Increases Risk of Dementia / News / Medical articles + Dooctor.net - Home medical advisor !

You are in: Main Page / Medical articles / News / Obesity Increases Risk of Dementia

Obesity does more harm than you may think - it increases the risk of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, arthritis, stroke, sleep apnea, or even cancers. A new study reveals that obesity increases the risk of dementia.






Researchers at UCLA and the University of Pittsburgh scanned the brains of 94 people and discovered that 8 percent obese poeple in the 70s have less brain tissue than their slim peers. What is more, their brains looked 16 years older. Overweight people had 4 percent less brain tissue than their lean peers. Areas which got damaged quickly included frontal and temporal lobes, responsible for reasoning and judgment as well as the anterior cingulate gyrus which is responsible for decision-making. Overweight people showed damage in the regions which speed messages, initiate movements and processes long-term memories.

This big loss of tissue damages cognitive reserves and increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease. Experts claim exercising, eating healthily and keeping weight under control reduces the risk of dementia.


Added by: mary not connected with health care system
Added on: 2009-09-01 12:31:43 , Updated: 2009-09-01 12:39:20
Bibliography: www.healthnews.com

Terms and conditions | Contact | Dooctor.net - your doctor online , Copyright 2008 , Dooctor.net - Health and Medicine