Muscle health linked to higher dementia risk than obesity

A comprehensive review of more than 80 studies suggests that age-related declines in muscle mass, strength, and physical function—a condition known as sarcopenia—may be more strongly linked to dementia risk than body weight or obesity alone.

Researchers found that individuals with sarcopenia faced a 42% greater risk of dementia. The study also highlighted a complex relationship between obesity and dementia that shifts with age. In adults younger than 65, obesity was associated with a 9% increase in dementia risk. Conversely, in adults aged 65 and older, obesity was associated with a 17% lower risk.

Lead researcher Dr. Uraiporn Booranasuksakul noted that maintaining muscle strength and function is a vital component of healthy aging. Experts cautioned that the lower risk observed in older, obese individuals should not be interpreted as a recommendation to gain weight, but rather as evidence of the complex interplay between aging and body composition. The findings suggest that measuring muscle quantity and physical function may provide more critical insights into dementia risk than body mass index alone.