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Did you know: Your lifestyle influences your risk of developing dementia

There are many different types of dementia; the most common is Alzheimer’s disease. Many people don't realise is that in about one third of cases lifestyle plays a part in whether or not someone develops Alzheimer's

To mark Alzheimer's Society's Dementia Awareness Week we asked some of the world-leading researchers working on dementia at the University of Exeter to give us some insights into the condition based on their areas of expertise.

1. Your lifestyle influences your risk of developing dementia

There are many different types of dementia; the most common is Alzheimer’s disease. Many people don't realise is that in about one third of cases lifestyle plays a part in whether or not someone develops Alzheimer's.

The risk of developing Alzheimer’s is increased for people who:

• Are overweight or obese.
• Have high blood pressure in middle age.
• Smoke.
• Drink alcohol to excess.
• Experience depression.
• Have diabetes (at any age).

 There are ways of reducing this risk. These include:

• Being physically and mentally active.
• Being involved in social activities.
• Eating a healthy diet rich in fish and vegetables.
• Taking promotion or staying on in education
• Regularly engaging in evidence-based brain-training programmes

 Researchers are working on ways of helping prevent people developing dementia.

Professor Linda Clare, Professor of Clinical Psychology of Ageing and Dementia, The Centre for Research in Ageing and Cognitive Health, College of Life and Environmental Sciences

Dr Anne Corbett, Senior Lecturer in Dementia Research

#1 in our series Five Ways People Can Act on Dementia. Follow our social media campaign all this week on #ExeterDementia #DAW17

To find out more about dementia research at Exeter, visit: http://www.exeter.ac.uk/dementia/.

Date: 11 May 2017