Lifestyle Changes Can Reduce Dementia Risk

Healthy lifestyle changes can reduce the risk of dementia even in individuals with a family history of the condition, according to a recent study presented at the American Heart Association’s Epidemiology, Prevention, Lifestyle & Cardiometabolic Health Conference 2021.

Using data from 302,239 individuals aged 50 to 73 years from the UK Biobank Study, the researchers investigated the effects of 6 healthy lifestyle behaviors on the risk of dementia. The behaviors included: eating a healthy diet, meeting exercise guidelines, sleeping 6 to 9 hours a day, drinking in moderation, not smoking, and not having obesity.

Overall, 1698 participants developed dementia. A family history of the condition was associated with an approximately 70% increased risk compared with those without a family history. Those participants who followed all 6 behaviors had roughly half the risk of dementia as those with 2 or fewer behaviors and following 3 behaviors was associated with a 30% reduction of dementia risk compared with 2 or fewer.

—Michael Potts

Reference:

Brellenthin A, Lee D, Lefferts E, et al. Healthy lifestyle behaviors reduced dementia risk despite family history of dementia Presented at: American Heart Association’s Epidemiology, Prevention, Lifestyle & Cardiometabolic Health Conference 2021; May 20-21, 2021; Dallas, Texas. Accessed May 20, 2021. https://newsroom.heart.org/news/healthy-lifestyle-behaviors-reduced-dementia-risk-despite-family-history-of-dementia