If you have high levels of body fat, particularly in the belly or arms, it’s important to be aware that this may increase your risk of developing neurological progressive conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases (PD).
Research suggests that excess fat in these areas can have adverse effects on neurological health, potentially contributing to the development of these conditions.
The study’s findings are particularly significant for India, where the combination of increasing life expectancy, younger age of disease onset, and a growing population with obesity creates a unique set of challenges.
Effective preventive measures and healthcare strategies tailored to the Indian context are essential for mitigating the impact of these neurodegenerative conditions, according to the experts here.
Conversely, as per the study, individuals who exhibited high levels of muscle strength were less likely to develop these neurodegenerative diseases. This suggests that greater muscle strength might offer protective benefits against the onset of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, according to a study published in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Managing fat levels through lifestyle changes and medical interventions might be crucial in reducing disease risk, said the study involving 412,691 people with an average age of 56 who were followed for an average of nine years.
At the beginning of the study, researchers assessed participants’ body composition through measurements of waist and hip circumference, grip strength, bone density, and fat and lean mass.
Over the study period, 8,224 individuals developed neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s, other forms of dementia, and Parkinson’s disease.
The findings revealed that male participants with high levels of belly fat developed neurodegenerative diseases at a rate of 3.38 per 1,000 person-years, compared to 1.82 cases per 1,000 person-years in those with lower levels of belly fat.
Female participants with high levels of belly fat had rates of 2.55 per 1,000 person-years, versus 1.39 for those with lower levels.
After adjusting for factors such as high blood pressure, smoking, alcohol consumption, and diabetes, the researchers found that individuals with high levels of belly fat were 13 per cent more likely to develop these diseases compared to those with lower levels, the study adding that those with high muscle strength were 26 per cent less likely to develop the diseases than those with low levels of strength.Study author Huan Song of Sichuan University in Chengdu, China said, “the study highlights the potential to lessen people’s risk of developing these diseases by improving their body composition.
Targeted interventions to reduce trunk and arm fat, combined with efforts to promote healthy muscle development, may offer more effective protection against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s than general weight control alone.