A recent study underscores the significant connection between early-onset type 2 diabetes, abdominal obesity, and an elevated risk of dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease, later in life. The research, published in PLOS ONE, reveals that individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes before the age of 50 face a considerably higher likelihood of developing dementia compared to those diagnosed later in life, with obesity acting as a major contributing factor.
Type 2 diabetes, once predominantly associated with older adults, has seen a worrying rise among younger populations. Approximately 20% of individuals with type 2 diabetes are now under the age of 40. In the study, researchers tracked 1,213 patients aged 50 and above, all of whom had type 2 diabetes but no signs of dementia at the outset. The participants were observed for a period of up to 14 years. During this time, nearly 18% of them developed dementia. Notably, for each year younger a participant was when diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, their risk of dementia increased by 1.9%. Obese individuals diagnosed before the age of 50 faced a staggering 3.05 times greater risk of developing the condition.
Additionally, research presented at the Radiological Society of North America conference further highlights the dangers of excess abdominal fat. People in their 40s and 50s with higher levels of belly fat exhibited abnormal accumulations of amyloid and tau proteins in the brain—key indicators of Alzheimer’s disease. Another related study demonstrated that as visceral fat levels rose, blood flow to the brain deteriorated, compounding the risks of cognitive decline.
The findings emphasize the importance of managing weight and reducing abdominal fat during midlife. Taking proactive steps to maintain a healthy body composition could significantly lower the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia in later years.
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