Found: the three risk factors for dementia

THE three major risk factors for dementia and disability have been identified by scientists.

Keeping blood pressure down, exercising regularly and maintaining good lung function through not smoking were found to have the most impact on staying physically and mentally healthy in later life.

Previously other factors such as low fruit and vegetable consumption, high alcohol intake, poor sleep, depression, obesity, Body Mass Index, high cholesterol and high blood glucose levels had been linked to poor cognitive and mobility function in later life. But scientists found that they actually had little impact on overall health.

Dementia is the leading cause of death in Britain, with around 850,000 people affected.

To find out what were the most dangerous health risks, researchers from UCL, the Economic and Social Research Council and the British Heart Foundation looked at data from the Whitehall II study of more than 10,000 people in Britain who have been followed since 1985.

At age 50 all were checked for 12 risk factors of dementia and disability and followed for 18 years, where they were again tested for physical and cognitive function.

Of the 12 risk factors studied, physical activity, high blood pressure and lung function were the three important predictors of poor functioning around age 70.

Researchers say policies to encourage healthier lifestyles in older age should aim to tackle those three risk factors above all others.