A new study has revealed that the loss of muscle mass and strength with age may be an important indicator of increased dementia risk.
Researchers from Curtin University analyzed more than 80 studies examining the relationship between body weight, body fat, muscle health, and dementia, and found that people with muscle wasting, known as "sarcopenia," were 42% more likely to develop dementia. Sarcopenia is a condition in which a person gradually loses muscle mass, strength, and physical function, and is often linked to advancing age.
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The study, published in the International Journal of Food Science and Nutrition, showed that obesity's effect on dementia risk differs depending on life stage.
Obesity in middle-aged people, meaning before age 65, was linked to a 9% increased risk of dementia. By contrast, obesity in people aged 65 and older was linked to a 17% decreased risk.
Lead researcher Dr. Yuraiborn Buranasuksakul of Burapha University said the findings show that body weight alone doesn't give a complete picture of dementia risk.
He added: "It's not just about how much you weigh; maintaining muscle strength and function appears to become important as we age. Our findings suggest that muscle loss may be an important warning sign of dementia risk."
The researcher stressed the importance of maintaining muscle health throughout life, noting that regular physical activity and good nutrition can help support muscle strength and function.
Researchers also examined "sarcopenic obesity," which combines reduced muscle mass or impaired muscle function with increased body fat. Based on just four studies that met the analysis criteria, researchers found no statistically significant relationship between this condition and dementia.
The study's corresponding author, Professor Mario Siervo of Curtin School of Population Health, said the findings confirm that the relationship between body weight, aging, and dementia is complex, and requires further long-term studies to understand the effect of changes in muscle and body fat over time.
The study was led by researchers from the Curtin enAble Institute's Centre of Excellence for Population Ageing Research, in collaboration with researchers from Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, Thailand, and Italy.
Resource: Al-Ghad.
