Higher ab fat = higher dementia risk

A compelling study in the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology concludes that participants with the most belly fat at 40 were three times more apt to develop dementia in later life than those with the least amount of ab flab. The research, conducted by the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research in Oakland, CA, tracked 6,583 people over 36 years.

In a report on eurekalert.org, research scientist and study author Rachel A. Whitmer said it was a disturbing finding, considering that 50 percent of U.S. adults have an unhealthy amount of abdominal fat. 59 percent of Canadian adults are also overweight or obese, as we report in our feature, 11 Get-Slim Secrets. And as you may recall, late last year the World Cancer Research Foundation noted that “maintaining a healthy weight (a BMI of 20 to 25) is one of the most important things you can do to prevent cancer.”

Now that the evidence is in, there’s no better time to banish belly fat and enjoy a healthy diet, one meal at a time. But as we all know (and as this Tim Hortons junkie can attest), that’s often easier said than done. So, tell us: how do you keep unwanted ab fat at bay? E-mail us and we’ll share your tips in an upcoming article.