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Pot Bellies May Lead to Dementia
People with larger stomachs in their 40s are more likely to have dementia when they reach their 70s, according to a study published in the March 26, 2008, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Previous research has consistently confirmed where you carry fat - not necessarily how much fat you're carrying - markedly increases the risk of calcium and plaque build-up in the arteries of the heart.
However, now there's a connection to dementia, as well. According to this study, how big your belly is in relation to your hips (this is known as the "waist-to-hip ratio") may be a better indication of dementia than other common measures of overweight and obesity, such as body mass index (BMI) and height/weight charts. In other words, you gotta get rid of that pot belly....even if your body weight falls within a normal range on the scale!
Why does belly fat matter more than cellulite on your thighs? Abdominal fat... as opposed to fat around the hips - seems to trigger a chain of inflammatory activities that translates into harmful metabolic changes and plaque buildup ... and ultimately heart disease and dementia.Therefore, everyone should know their waist-to-hip ratio: It's so simple, here's how it works.
1. While standing, use a tape measure to measure your waist in inches at its smallest point OR at your navel (without holding in or pushing out your tummy).
2. Next, measure your hips in inches at the widest area.
3. Lastly, divide your waist measurement by your hip measurement. That's your waist-to-hip ratio.
For example; if your waist measures 38" and your hips measure 38" .... you're 1.0. Ultimately, you want your waist to be smaller than your hips.
Ideal waist-to-hip ratio:
- For men, .9 or less
- For women, .8 or less
- For both men and women, 1.0 or higher is considered "at risk."
The good news is that even small improvements prove to be beneficial.... Lose an inch or two off your waist and you're already better off. And obviously the way to do that is through a healthy diet and regular exercise.
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Other ways to prevent dementia probably include: 1) eating fish (I recommend cold-water fatty fish) twice weekly, 2) regular exercise, 3) moderate alcohol consumption (if no contra-indications), 4) reducing plasma homocysteine levels through consumption of green leafy vegetables, low-fat milk products, whole grains, and dry beans, 5) maintaining an active social life as you age, and 6) mental exercise/stimulation as you age.
-Steve Parker, M.D. author of "The Advanced Mediterranean Diet"
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Consider the possibilities that, for example, both dementia and pot-bellies could be brought on by drinking too much alcohol, or that both dementia and pot-bellies could be reduced by regular exercise.
While the recommendation to reduce your waist measurment is probably no harm in this case, in general there are far too many false conclusions and recommendations floating round, based on hastily drawn conclusions with no proof of any causal relation.
I did read the article regarding the belly fat. After being thin my whole life I now find myself entering menopause with belly fat and love handles. I excercise every other day and am very active but still I am gaining in these two areas. Just so you know, I eat as whole as I can and eating NOTHING processed. What else can I do?