Nearly Half Of Dementia Cases Could Be Prevented: Study
SYDNEY, July 3 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- Nearly half of dementia cases could be prevented by addressing modifiable risk factors such as physical inactivity, smoking, low education or social isolation, new Australian-led studies reveal, reported Xinhua.
Researchers followed nearly 500,000 adults over more than a decade and found people with both low muscle strength and excess body fat – known as sarcopenic obesity – faced a higher risk of dementia, according to a statement from Australia's Curtin University released on Thursday.
Obesity alone was not associated with increased dementia risk if muscle strength was maintained, highlighting the importance of muscle health and body composition in dementia prevention, said the Curtin-led team.
“Up to 45 per cent of dementia cases are linked to modifiable factors we can change, such as our lifestyle, health status and environment,” said study author, Professor Mario Siervo from Curtin's School of Population Health.
Co-author, Curtin University Professor Blossom Stephan said misconceptions persist that dementia is "an unavoidable part of ageing," while barriers including time, cost and motivation hinder lifestyle changes.
While large-scale awareness campaigns reach broad audiences, they typically yield only modest gains in knowledge and limited changes in behaviour, according to a review of dementia prevention programmes across eight countries – including Australia, China and the United States (US) – published by the team in The Lancet Healthy Longevity.
The review found interactive approaches, such as personalised risk assessments, online education programmes and community-based initiatives led by trusted local figures, were more effective in encouraging action.
-- BERNAMA-XINHUA