Body composition predicts disease risk

UF Health Podcasts

Your body composition might predict your likelihood of experiencing cognitive decline later in life.

A new study suggests that fat and muscle distribution could be used to assess the risk of developing neurogenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

The two neurodegenerative disease affect more than 60 million people.

Chinese researchers used data from the UK Biobank, one of the world’s largest health data sets, to study a range of body compositions and associated disease risk.

They followed more than 400,000 participants with no neurogenerative diseases for several years after they were recruited for the study.

After an average follow-up of nine years, more than 8,000 new cases of neurogenerative diseases were identified. Researchers said those with excess fat around the abdomen were at a greater risk for neurogenerative diseases.

Those with higher levels of belly fat were 13% more likely to develop conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s than those with lower levels. And higher arm fat made the risk 18% higher.

Body compositions with more muscle strength showed opposite results. Participants with greater muscle strength were 26% less likely to develop neurogenerative diseases than others.

Even after adjustments for other disease factors like diabetes and high blood pressure were made, the results held.

Perhaps it’s time to renew that gym membership, since the findings suggest improved body composition might be key to reducing neurogenerative disease risk. Stay fit to maintain your balance and preserve your memory?

Pardon the pun, but that seems like a no-brainer.