Scientists pinpoint three lifestyle changes that could prevent dementia

• A new study suggests that increasing physical activity, quitting smoking, and addressing social isolation could prevent over half of global dementia cases.
• Researchers from Curtin University found a significant gap between public awareness of dementia risks and actual behavioural changes, noting that traditional campaigns have limited impact.
• Up to 45 per cent of dementia cases are linked to modifiable factors such as lifestyle, health status, and environmental influences.
• The study, which tracked nearly 500,000 adults, highlighted that sarcopenic obesity (low muscle strength and excess body fat) increases dementia risk, but obesity alone does not if muscle strength is maintained.
• Experts advocate for more engaging, personalised, and community-driven interventions, combining risk assessment with structured education, to effectively reduce dementia risk.

IN FULL

The simple changes that can prevent more than half of dementia cases