Risk of dementia increases with waistline
Belly fat doesn't just make your belt a little tighter -- it can be a risk factor for a host of conditions including certain cancers, stroke, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. A recent study shows that belly fat can also be a risk factor for developing dementia later in life. In fact, it can be a larger indicator than family history. More that 6,000 people were included in the study. Those with the most abdominal fat between ages 40 and 45 were three times more likely to develop dementia than those with the lowest amount of belly fat. According to the report, nearly 50% of American adults have an unhealthy amount of belly fat. And those that are at risk aren't limited to people who are obese. Many are at a healthy BMI or are only slightly overweight according to the scale, but carry their excess weight mostly in their abdomen. At this point, scientists don't know exactly what the belly fat/dementia link is. Theories include that belly fat increases the development of amyloid plaques in the brain (substances that are linked to Alzheimer's) or that dementia is linked to obesity-related illnesses such as heart disease.
.gif)
.gif)
.gif)
ATIO Summer Quick Fix Challenge #2: What's your quick fix?
Why guys are losers
10 foods for flatter tummies
