The onset of dementia can be shocking, but signs can predict the condition as long as 20 years before symptoms appear.
A new study published by the RAND Corporation in California identifies several major predictors of onset around age 60 that are likely to lead to cognitive impairment and dementia by age 80.
The researchers assessed 181 potential risk factors, including demographics, socioeconomic status, lifestyle and health behaviors, health history, psychosocial factors, and more.
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Here are some of the strongest predictors of a higher likelihood of cognitive impairment and dementia at age 60, the report said.
RAND Corporation researchers have discovered several surprising predictors of dementia risk, such as never drinking alcohol and never working. (iStock)
1. Poor physical health
2. History of stroke
3. Genetics
4. Born in the American South
5. No private health insurance at age 60
6. Never work or only work for a few years
7. History of diabetes
8. Body mass index 35 or above
9. Never drink alcohol or drink to excess
10. Never exercise
11. Low score on physical fitness test
12. Not serious enough
13. Low involvement in hobbies
14. Low cognitive function and engagement
Research shows that parental health, family size, marital history and demographics are the weakest predictors.
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In a conversation with Fox News Digital, study co-author Peter Hudomiet, an economist at the RAND Corporation in California, shared details of the study, which used a large data set and tracked individuals “Decades”.
Research shows that parental health, family size, marital history and demographics are the weakest predictors. (iStock)
“Overall, we found that risk factors have similar effects in the short and long term, which gives us confidence that findings from previous literature may hold in the long term,” he said.
“Nonetheless, we also made some surprising findings.”
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Researchers were surprised to find that people who never exercise had “significantly higher odds” of developing dementia than those who exercised at least a few times a month.
“More frequent exercise (weekly or daily) has some additional benefits, but not that much,” he points out. “In other words, the main risk factor for dementia is never moving.”
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“In fact, these behavioral factors are better predictors of dementia than having the right genes,” Hudomiet added.
A body mass index (BMI) above 30 at age 60 is a weak predictor of dementia, while a BMI above 35 is a “strong predictor”.
Researchers (not pictured) said that “people who exercise regularly have about half the risk of developing dementia than people who never exercise.” (iStock)
People who never participated in cognitive activities had a much higher risk of developing dementia than those who sometimes participated in cognitive activities, Hudomiet said. People with only 0 to 11 years of education had a much higher risk of developing dementia than people with a high school or higher education. The stakes are much higher.
Another unexpected finding was that Americans born in the southeastern United States face a much higher risk of dementia than those in other parts of the country.
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“This difference remains large even if our statistical model takes into account income, health status and other differences between regions,” the researchers noted.
“The quality of education (which we were unable to measure in our data) may be lower in the southeastern United States, particularly among the older age groups we analyzed.”
“Less than 1 percent of health care funding is spent educating the public on proactive health care strategies,” said gerontologist Dr. Marcie Smith. (iStock)
Hudomiet added that people without private health insurance coverage at age 60 were 11% more likely to develop dementia than those with insurance.
“[That’s] This is partly because private health insurance can help individuals stay healthier for longer,” he suggested.
“The choices you make now will determine the rest of your life.”
Houdomit told Fox News Digital that the findings show that “maintaining good physical and mental health is not only good for staying in shape, but also for staying sharp and delaying cognitive decline.”
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South Carolina gerontologist Dr. Macie P. Smith, who was not involved in the study, also reacted to the findings in a separate conversation with Fox News Digital, calling the researchers “accurate.”
“The presentation of this research information … creates a heightened sense of responsibility for everyone who claims to be involved in the fight to end Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD),” she wrote in an email response.
The researchers noted that genetic risk factors are smaller than certain habits and behaviors, such as exercise. (iStock)
Smith said it was “pretty shocking” that never drinking alcohol increased the risk of dementia.
“This stood out to me because excessive alcohol consumption significantly increases the risk of brain degeneration and may lead to alcohol-induced dementia,” she said.
Experts say self-reported data may have led to the findings, or red wine may also have been taken into account because it has been found to “contain brain-boosting nutrients such as resveratrol.”
Ways to reduce risk
While cognitive decline is sometimes impossible to prevent, Hudomiet said some risk factors can be reduced through lifestyle changes.
These include regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, getting proper nutrition, and engaging in cognitively challenging activities.
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“Healthcare providers and governments should consider promoting healthy behaviors in the adult population and enhancing individuals’ access to quality health care, which may reduce dementia prevalence and disease burden in the future,” Hudomiet suggested.
One expert said: “Understanding that what’s good for the heart is good for the brain and adopting a healthy lifestyle can give people control over their brain’s destiny.” (iStock)
Smith added that reducing dementia risk “doesn’t start or end with drugs.”
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For middle-aged people, paying attention to these early predictors is “a matter of life and death,” she said.
“Everyone with a brain has a responsibility to pay attention to the warning signals from the body,” she said. “Your body is always reminding you of things that your brain sometimes misses.”
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“You have the power to control the future of your life,” she continued.
“The choices you make now will determine the rest of your life.”
