New research reveals people who have a lot of belly fat in mid-life have a much higher risk of developing dementia later on. The study comes from the Oakland-based Kaiser Permanente Division of Research . KPBS Reporter Kenny Goldberg has more.
Scientists have known for some time that a large belly in mid-life is a risk factor for diabetes and heart disease. The Kaiser study is the first to establish a link between excess belly fat and a higher risk of dementia. Kaiser research scientist Rachel Witmer says she's not sure why the two are related.
Witmer: Our hypothesis is that there must be something intrinsic to belly fat itself that must be raising risk of dementia. But at this point this is a hypothesis, and more studies need to be done to explore this effect."
Witmer's study found a large belly was a risk factor for dementia even in people who aren't overweight. Witmer says where people carry their weight appears to be an important predictor.
Kenny Goldberg, KPBS News.
