The onset of dementia can be a shock, but even before symptoms appear, signs may have been predicting the condition for up to 20 years.
A new study published by the Rand Corporation in California has identified several key predictors that occur around age 60 and are more likely to lead to cognitive impairment and dementia by age 80.
Researchers evaluated 181 potential risk factors, including demographics, socioeconomic status, lifestyle and health behaviors, health history, and psychosocial factors.
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According to the report, these are some of the strongest predictors of being more likely to develop cognitive impairment and dementia at age 60.
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1. Unwell
2. History of stroke
3. Genetics
4. Born in the southern United States
5. Not enrolled in private health insurance at age 60
6. I have never worked or have only worked for a few years.
7. Diabetes history
8. BMI is 35 or higher
9. Don't drink alcohol or drink to excess
10. Don't exercise
11. Low physical exam score
12. Unconscionable
13. Low commitment to hobbies
14. Poor cognitive function and engagement
Parental health, family structure, marital status and demographics were the weakest predictors, according to the study.
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In a conversation with Fox News Digital, study co-author Peter Hudmiet, an economist at Randland, Calif., detailed the study, which used a large data set to track individuals “for decades.”
Parental health, family structure, marital status and demographics were the weakest predictors, according to the study. (St. Petersburg)
“Overall, we found that risk factors have similar effects in the short and long term, giving us confidence that findings from prior literature may hold true in the long term,” he said. Ta.
However, there were many surprising discoveries.
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Researchers were surprised to find that people who never exercised were “significantly more likely” to develop dementia than those who did light exercise at least a few times a month.
“Exercising more frequently (weekly or daily) also had some additional benefits, but not by much,” he noted. “In other words, the main risk factor for dementia is no physical activity.”
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“In fact, these behavioral factors were more important predictors of dementia than having the right genes,” Khudmiet added.
A BMI of more than 30 at age 60 was a weak predictor of dementia, while a BMI of more than 35 was a “strong predictor.”
According to researchers, the risk of dementia is “about half that of people who exercise regularly compared to people who don't exercise at all” (not shown). (St. Petersburg)
People who never participate in cognitive activities have a much higher risk of developing dementia than those who participate occasionally, and those with only 0 to 11 years of education compared to those with a high school or advanced degree. People, said Hudmiet.
Another unexpected finding was that Americans born in the southeastern United States faced a significantly higher risk of dementia compared to other regions of the United States.
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“This difference remains strong even when our statistical model takes into account income, health, and other differences between regions,” the researchers noted.
“It is possible that the quality of education (which we could not measure in our data) was lower in the southeastern United States, especially in the older population we analyzed.”
According to gerontologist Dr. Marcy Smith, “less than 1% of health care spending goes toward educating the public about positive health care strategies.” (St. Petersburg)
People who are not subject to privacy health insurance At age 60, insured people were 11% more likely to develop dementia than uninsured people, Khudmiet added.
”[That’s] “Partly because private health insurance helps individuals stay healthy longer,” he suggested.
“The choices you make now will determine the way you live afterwards.”
The findings show that “maintaining good physical and mental health is not only beneficial for staying in shape, but also for maintaining mental clarity and slowing cognitive decline.” Hudmiet told FOX News Digital.
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South Carolina gerontologist Dr. Macy P. Smith, who was not involved in the study, also reacted to the findings in a separate conversation with FOX News Digital, saying the researchers were “on point.” said.
“The presentation of this researched information… brings a greater sense of responsibility to all who claim to be part of the fight to eliminate Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD),” she said. I replied via email.
Genetics is not as much of a risk factor as certain habits or behaviors, such as exercise, the researchers noted. (St. Petersburg)
Mr Smith said it was “quite shocking” that not drinking increased the risk of dementia.
“This is noteworthy to me because consuming too much alcohol significantly increases the risk of brain function decline and can lead to alcohol-induced dementia,” she said.
Experts say self-reported data may have led to this finding, or that red wine has been found to “contain brain-boosting nutrients such as resveratrol,” so it could be considered. suggested that it may have been done.
How to reduce risk
Cognitive decline may not be preventable, but some risk factors can be reduced with lifestyle changes, Hudmiet said.
These include regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, getting proper nutrition, and participating in difficult cognitive activities.
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“Healthcare providers and governments should consider promoting healthy behaviors in the adult population and strengthening individuals' access to quality health care, so that dementia can be reduced in the future. It has the potential to reduce the prevalence and burden of the disease,” Khudmiet recommended.
“By understanding that what's good for the heart is good for the brain and practicing a healthy lifestyle, people can take control of their brain's destiny,” said one expert. (St. Petersburg)
Smith added that reducing dementia risk “doesn't start and end with drugs.”
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For middle-aged people, paying attention to these early predictors is “a matter of life and death,” she said.
“It's incumbent on everyone with a brain to pay attention to the warning signals their bodies send out,” she says. “The body is a constant reminder of things that the brain sometimes ignores.”
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“You have the power to control what your life will look like in the future,” she continued.
“The choices you make now will determine how you live your life later.”
