Obesity could cause dementia crisis

The number of people living with dementia in the UK could soar between now and 2050 because of high levels of middle age obesity, health experts have warned.

Obesity has long been linked with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease and Tim Marsh of UK Health Reform has stated that unless people begin leading healthier lifestyles the number of people with the condition will be much greater than previously thought.

"It is clear that obesity is another factor that is putting more and more members of the population at risk. Recent research by several groups has indicated that individuals who are obese in their 40s and 50s have twice the average risk of getting dementia in their 70s," he told the Guardian.

He added that current estimates suggest that around five per cent of over-65s will have some form of dementia by 2050, but the figure could be as high as seven per cent once rising obesity levels has been factored in.

Mr Marsh is set to present a joint study on the matter at the European Congress on Obesity in Liverpool next Sunday (May 19th).

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