TY - JOUR
T1 - Body mass index in midlife and late-life as a risk factor for dementia
T2 - A meta-analysis of prospective studies
AU - Anstey, K. J.
AU - Cherbuin, N.
AU - Budge, M.
AU - Young, J.
PY - 2011/5
Y1 - 2011/5
N2 - The relationship between body mass index (BMI) (in midlife and late-life) and dementia was investigated in meta-analyses of 16 articles reporting on 15 prospective studies. Follow-ups ranged from 3.2 to 36.0 years. Meta-analyses were conducted on samples including 25624 participants evaluated for Alzheimer's disease (AD), 15435 participants evaluated for vascular dementia (VaD) and 30470 followed for any type of dementia (Any Dementia). Low BMI in midlife was associated with 1.96 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.32, 2.92] times the risk of developing AD. The pooled relative risks for AD, VaD and Any Dementia for overweight BMI in midlife compared with normal BMI were 1.35 (95% CI:1.19, 1.54), 1.33 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.75) and 1.26 (95% CI: 1.10, 1.44), respectively. The pooled relative risks of AD and Any Dementia for obese BMI in midlife compared to normal BMI were 2.04 (95% CI: 1.59, 2.62) and 1.64 (95% CI: 1.34, 2.00), respectively. Continuous BMI in late-life was not associated with dementia. Small numbers of studies included in pooled analyses reduce generalizability of findings, and emphasize the need for publication of additional findings. We conclude that underweight, overweight and obesity in midlife increase dementia risk. Further research evaluating late-life BMI and dementia is required.
AB - The relationship between body mass index (BMI) (in midlife and late-life) and dementia was investigated in meta-analyses of 16 articles reporting on 15 prospective studies. Follow-ups ranged from 3.2 to 36.0 years. Meta-analyses were conducted on samples including 25624 participants evaluated for Alzheimer's disease (AD), 15435 participants evaluated for vascular dementia (VaD) and 30470 followed for any type of dementia (Any Dementia). Low BMI in midlife was associated with 1.96 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.32, 2.92] times the risk of developing AD. The pooled relative risks for AD, VaD and Any Dementia for overweight BMI in midlife compared with normal BMI were 1.35 (95% CI:1.19, 1.54), 1.33 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.75) and 1.26 (95% CI: 1.10, 1.44), respectively. The pooled relative risks of AD and Any Dementia for obese BMI in midlife compared to normal BMI were 2.04 (95% CI: 1.59, 2.62) and 1.64 (95% CI: 1.34, 2.00), respectively. Continuous BMI in late-life was not associated with dementia. Small numbers of studies included in pooled analyses reduce generalizability of findings, and emphasize the need for publication of additional findings. We conclude that underweight, overweight and obesity in midlife increase dementia risk. Further research evaluating late-life BMI and dementia is required.
KW - Cognitive decline
KW - Obesity
KW - Overweight
KW - Review
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=79954996833&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/j.1467-789X.2010.00825.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1467-789X.2010.00825.x
M3 - Article
SN - 1467-7881
VL - 12
SP - e426-e437
JO - Obesity Reviews
JF - Obesity Reviews
IS - 5
ER -