A new study of more than 4,500 older adults has found that being overweight or obese at the time of a dementia diagnosis is associated with a 16 to 27 percent lower risk of death compared with being at a normal weight. The findings, published in the health category of recent research, challenge conventional assumptions about weight and health in later life and add to a growing body of evidence suggesting that excess body mass may confer a survival advantage in certain chronic illnesses. Researchers stressed that the link is observational and does not establish causation.
The reasons behind the apparent protective effect remain unclear, though investigators suspect that extra energy and muscle reserves may help patients withstand the physical toll dementia exacts over time. The study stopped short of recommending weight gain as a preventive strategy, and experts cautioned that obesity carries well-documented risks for cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other conditions. Further research is needed to determine whether the survival benefit reflects biological resilience or other factors, such as earlier diagnosis or differences in care. The findings underscore the complexity of managing weight in older adults living with dementia.
Independent reporting synthesized from primary wires and global correspondents.