Body Composition Linked to Likelihood of Developing Neurodegenerative Diseases

According to study results published in Neurology, people with excess arm or belly fat were found to be more susceptible to the development of neurodegenerative diseases compared with those with less fat in these specific areas. Furthermore, individuals with greater muscle strength were less susceptible to these diseases compared with those with lower muscle strength.

The study included 412,691 participants with an average age of 56 years who were observed for an average of 9 years. During the study period, 8224 participants developed neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and forms of dementia.

• Male participants with low levels of belly fat developed neurodegenerative diseases at a rate of 1.82 cases per 1000 person-years compared with a rate of 3.38 for those with higher levels.
• Female participants with low levels of belly fat developed neurodegenerative diseases at a rate of 1.39 cases per 1000 person-years compared with a rate of 2.55 for those with higher levels.
• Participants with high levels of belly fat were found to be 13% more susceptible to neurodegenerative disease development compared with those with lower levels
• Participants with high levels of arm fat were 18% more susceptible to disease development compared with those with lower levels
• Participants with high muscle strength were 26% less susceptible to disease development compared with those with lower levels

Results were adjusted to account for other potential risk factors, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking and drinking status. Researchers noted that most participants identified as White and lived in the United Kingdom, suggesting that the results may be specific to this demographic.

“This study highlights the potential to lessen people’s risk of developing these diseases by improving their body composition,” said Huan Song, MD, PhD, Study Author. “Targeted interventions to reduce trunk and arm fat while promoting healthy muscle development may be more effective for protection against these diseases than general weight control.”