A new study has found that people with metabolic syndrome may also face a greater likelihood of developing young-onset dementia, which occurs before the age of 65.
Metabolic syndrome is a group of conditions that increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
However, to be diagnosed with metabolic syndrome, a person must have at least three of the following conditions: high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, excess abdominal fat, or abnormal cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
The study, published on Wednesday in the Journal Neurology, analysed health data from nearly 2 million individuals aged 40 to 60 who underwent checkups through the Korean National Health Insurance Service.
The findings revealed that 25% of participants had metabolic syndrome.
Over an 11-year follow-up period (2009–2020), researchers monitored these individuals to identify cases of young-onset dementia. By the study’s conclusion, 0.45% of all participants had developed dementia.
The results showed that those with metabolic syndrome had a 24% higher risk of dementia, nearly double the risk compared to those without the condition.
When examining specific types of dementia, metabolic syndrome was associated with a 12% increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease and a 21% higher risk of vascular dementia.
The study also found that the risk varied by demographic group. Women with metabolic syndrome had a 34% higher likelihood of developing dementia, compared to 15% in men. Also, people in their 40s faced a greater risk than those in their 50s.
However, the researchers emphasized that this was an observational study, meaning it did not prove that metabolic syndrome directly causes dementia — only that there is a significant association between the two.
Minwoo Lee, the principal study investigator, said making healthy lifestyle choices and managing metabolic syndrome could prevent or delay the onset of dementia.
“Our findings suggest that lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome, such as eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, and reducing stress, may help reduce the risk of young-onset dementia,” he said.
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