In a study from IQVIA and elsewhere, scientists found underweight is linked to higher dementia risk in older men.
Previous research has analyzed the possible link between late-life body mass index (BMI) and dementia.
Given that there are some data suggesting that estrogen has neuroprotective effects, it is possible that the BMI-dementia link differs between women and men.
In the study, researchers analyzed associations between BMI and dementia in older women and men separately in general practices in Germany.
They used data from 296,767 patients. Dementia included Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, and undefined dementia.
BMI was included in this study as a four-category variable: underweight (i.e., BMI <18.5 kg/m2), normal weight (i.e., BMI 18.5-<25 kg/m2), overweight (i.e., BMI 25-<30 kg/m2), and obesity (i.e., BMI ≥30 kg/m2).
The team found in women, only being overweight was strongly and negatively linked to dementia.
In contrast, in men, the only BMI category strongly and positively linked to the incidence of dementia was underweight.
In terms of the specific types of dementia, obesity was strongly and negatively associated with Alzheimer’s disease and overweight negatively with undefined dementia in women.
In men, there was also a negative and strong association between obesity and Alzheimer’s disease, while underweight was positively associated with undefined dementia.
These findings suggest there is a strong and positive link between underweight and dementia in older men.
The team says in this context, cognitive impairments should be regularly assessed in older male patients with BMI<18.5 kg/m2
Furthermore, interventions aiming at weight gain should be implemented in this population, and these interventions may include nutritional supplements, high-energy snacks and community support services.
On the other hand, being overweight may protect against dementia in older women, suggesting that a moderate weight excess in late life may be acceptable from a cognitive perspective.
If you care about dementia, please read studies about risk factors that may have the biggest impact on dementia, and high blood pressure may lower dementia risk for some old adults.
For more information about dementia, please see recent studies that cataract removal may reduce the dementia risk by 30%, and results showing this metal may reduce risk of dementia.
The study was conducted by Prof. Karel Kostev et al and published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.
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