Obesity linked to Alzheimer's disease

Matthew Ellis
Soc 202

Doctors have began to study the effects of weight to the disease Alzheimer's. In the study people who had an BMI (body mass index) of 25 to 30 were considered overweight while having a BMI of 30+ meant you were clinically obese showed that brain shrinkage which is a big symptom of Alzheimer's was found. Doctors are now trying to associate healthy eating and a good dose of exercise may be able to reduce the risk of getting Alzheimer's and other dementias. With more studies about these recently obtained facts, more alternate routes may be taken to prevent Alzheimer's.


When I first read this story I was relieved that more steps are being taken into the understanding of Alzheimer's and other dementias. With more research and time maybe there might be a cure to the disease. However it is hard to believe that obesity plays a role in the disease. I've had family members with the diease and they weren't overweight or obese by any means. I think that brain shrinkage occurs with age itself not just weight.