Is Your Waistline Putting You at Risk for Alzheimer’s? Study Finds Link Between Fat and Brain

A recent study highlights the link between body composition and the risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Researchers found that individuals with higher abdominal or arm fat levels face a 13 to 18% increased risk of these conditions compared to those with lower fat levels. On the other hand, greater muscle strength is associated with a 26% reduced risk.

Professor Huan Song and his team from Sichuan University published their findings in Neurology, a journal of the American Academy of Neurology. The study followed over 412,000 UK Biobank participants for an average of nine years, examining how various body composition metrics—such as waist and hip circumference, grip strength, bone density, body fat, and lean mass—relate to the risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases.

Song emphasized the global significance of neurodegenerative diseases, noting that more than 60 million people are affected worldwide, with numbers expected to rise as the population ages. “Managing risk factors is crucial for developing effective preventive tools,” he stated.

During the study period, which lasted an average of 9.1 years, researchers documented 8,224 cases of neurodegenerative diseases. This included 2,993 cases of Alzheimer’s, 2,427 cases of Parkinson’s, and 6,076 cases of dementia from all causes.

Men and women with high levels of abdominal fat had significantly higher incidence rates of neurodegenerative diseases: 3.38 cases per 1,000 person-years for men and 2.55 cases for women. In contrast, men and women with lower levels of abdominal fat had rates of 1.82 and 1.39 cases per 1,000 person-years, respectively.

After adjusting for other factors such as hypertension, smoking, alcohol consumption, and diabetes, the analysis revealed that high abdominal fat was associated with a 13% increased risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases. High arm fat was linked to an 18% increased risk. Conversely, individuals with greater muscle strength had a 26% lower likelihood of developing these conditions.

The study underscores that while high-fat levels in specific body areas can be a risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases, maintaining muscle strength may offer protective benefits. Song noted that the connection between body composition and neurodegenerative diseases could be partly due to cardiovascular diseases observed during the study. “This finding highlights the importance of managing cardiovascular health to prevent or delay neurodegenerative diseases,” he explained.