Abdominal Fat Connected to Dementia
You might have read around this website about how having excessive fat in the abdomen area will likely be potentially troublesome for your health in the future. For men, having a circumference around your midsection at the bellybutton level which is more than 40 inches could give you an increased chance for having heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and others which could give you a shorter life. However, you might have not heard about abdominal fat being connected to dementia. This was talk about in the Neurology journal back in March of 2008.
Abdominal Fat Study
This article basically says that having a bigger belly in your middle-age years could increase your chances for having diseases like Alzheimer's or other potential forms of dementia symptoms. They found this to be true by looking at a study that included almost 7000 Kaiser Permanente members. The interesting information it includes is that although a person may have an acceptable body mass index, they still could have belly fat that would increase their chance for having dementia in the future. Therefore, how you carry your fat within your body would likely have more impact on your chances of having dementia in the future than the amount of fat you have.... within reason.
This study basically took test subjects at a beginning age of anywhere from 40 to 45 back in the 60s and 70s but were once again rechecked later when most were in their 80s. Basically, those that had a certain amount of excess fat in the midsection, were in a group that had more instances of dementia symptoms.
Very Serious Concerns for Today's People
This brings up serious concerns for today's generation that currently are in middle age because more and more are becoming overweight and obese. In fact, around 50% of adults today can be termed as being obese just by looking at the abdomen area. Obviously, two things need to happen very soon. First, middle-age adults along with others need to know the importance of trimming the fat especially around the midsection. Secondly, those people that have this problem need to act to reduce fat right now before it's too late.
How to Act
Knowing whether to put in place changes to reduce fat and then actually reducing that fat really does not require rocket scientist know-how... no, it's much simpler than a person would think. Probably the most important ingredient of being successful will be developing willpower to do it.
Where are You in the Abdominal Fat Level?
First, you need to know where you are at with respect to your fat abdominally speaking. At first, he might grab a body mass index chart to see where you are located. It might show you to be in a safe zone but you are not out of the clear yet.
Take a tape measure around your belly at bellybutton level to measure the circumference. Professionals don't always agree at what measurement would be appropriate. Those in the Mayo Clinic suggests men not having a circumference greater than or equal to 40 inches and women not having one greater than or equal to 35 inches. Some professionals like Dr. Oz from “You on a Diet” suggests that men should have a circumference under 35 inches while women should have won under 32 inches. If you're really serious about making sure your healthy, you will adhere to the lower amount.
Take Action If Needed
Secondly, after finding out where you exactly are, you can make lifestyle changes if needed. Fortunately, some people won't need to make too many changes at all. Unfortunately, it is likely that the majority of people will need to make various changes to reduce fat in the abdomen in order to avoid many different diseases including ones with dementia symptoms.