Recent research suggests that individuals with higher levels of body fat stored in the abdomen or arms may have an increased risk of developing conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s compared to those with lower levels of fat in these areas. Conversely, individuals with greater muscle strength are less likely to develop these diseases than those with weaker muscles.
A study published in the July 24, 2024, online edition of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, highlighted these findings.
“These neurodegenerative diseases, affecting over 60 million individuals globally, are expected to rise with the aging population. Identifying ways to modify risk factors is crucial for developing preventive strategies,” emphasized Dr. Huan Song, the study’s author from Sichuan University in Chengdu, China. “Enhancing body composition through targeted interventions that reduce belly and arm fat while promoting muscle health may offer better protection against these diseases than generalized weight management.”
The study monitored 412,691 participants, averaging 56 years old, for about nine years. Initially, measurements of body composition, including waist and hip size, grip strength, bone density, and fat and lean mass, were taken.
During the study period, 8,224 participants developed neurodegenerative diseases, primarily Alzheimer’s, other forms of dementia, and Parkinson’s.
Among male participants, those with high levels of belly fat experienced a disease rate of 3.38 cases per 1,000 person-years compared to 1.82 cases for individuals with low belly fat levels. For females, the rates were 2.55 and 1.39 cases per 1,000 person-years for high and low belly fat levels, respectively.
After adjusting for factors like high blood pressure, smoking, drinking habits, and diabetes, individuals with high belly fat levels were found to be 13% more likely to develop these diseases than those with lower levels. Similarly, individuals with high arm fat levels had an 18% increased risk compared to those with lower levels.
On the contrary, individuals with high muscle strength had a 26% lower risk of developing these diseases than those with weaker strength. Furthermore, the association of body compositions with neurodegenerative diseases was partially explained by the onset of cardiovascular conditions such as heart disease and stroke during the study.
“It’s crucial to address these cardiovascular diseases promptly to potentially delay or prevent the development of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other degenerative conditions,” Dr. Song emphasized.
One limitation of the study is that the participants were predominantly white individuals from the United Kingdom, so the findings might not be directly applicable to other populations.
The study received support from Sichuan University, Sichuan Provincial Science and Technology Department, and the Swedish Research Council.
