Almost half of all dementia cases could potentially be prevented by addressing lifestyle and health-related risk factors, according to new international research published by scientists from Curtin University in Australia.
The researchers estimate that up to 45% of dementia cases are linked to factors that can be modified throughout life, including physical inactivity, smoking, social isolation, low levels of education, obesity, high cholesterol and untreated health conditions. They believe that healthier lifestyles and earlier interventions could significantly reduce the number of people developing the disease.
The study also found that muscle strength plays an important role in brain health. People with both excess body fat and low muscle strength—known as sarcopenic obesity—were found to have a significantly higher risk of developing dementia than those who maintained good muscle function.
Researchers noted that simply informing people about dementia risks is often not enough to change behaviour. Instead, personalised health assessments, community-based programmes and interactive education campaigns were found to be much more effective in encouraging healthier habits.
Experts also stress that dementia is not an inevitable part of ageing. While there is currently no cure, reducing modifiable risk factors throughout life may delay or even prevent many cases. Maintaining regular physical activity, controlling blood pressure and cholesterol, treating hearing and vision problems, avoiding smoking and staying socially active are among the most effective preventive measures identified by researchers.
With the number of people living with dementia expected to rise sharply over the coming decades, scientists say prevention should become a major public health priority. They hope governments will invest more in programmes that help people adopt healthier lifestyles and reduce their long-term risk of cognitive decline.
