Children who are overweight and lack sufficient physical activity might boost their chances of developing dementia in adulthood.
A University of Oxford The study examined 862 children whose weight was recorded starting at age seven, with their daily physical activity levels monitored beginning at age eleven.
Their brains were examined around the age of 20 and assessed for alterations associated with dementia.
Individuals who have a greater Body Mass Index (BMI) when they are seven years old and those who experience quicker weight gain up to the age of seventeen exhibit variations in the structure of their 'default mode network,' an area associated with dementia later in life.
Children who were less physically active and had a higher body mass index often exhibited variations in their entorhinal cortex, an area of the brain that research indicates is linked to dementia.
The findings indicate that children's brains might develop differently due to insufficient physical activity and being overweight. This difference in brain development could potentially make them more susceptible to dementia later in life, but further investigation is required to confirm this hypothesis.
Holly Haines, the primary author of the study published in the journal eBioMedicine, stated: "Dementia is often perceived as a condition affecting only elderly individuals, and many believe the 'crucial period' for preventing it through healthy lifestyle choices occurs during midlife."
'However, our research indicates that maintaining good health during childhood and adolescent years is also crucial.'
'There is an increasing recognition that our daily habits throughout our lifetime, starting from childhood, influence our well-being in old age, and it’s never too soon to consider adopting a healthier way of living.'
The participants were involved in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, a comprehensive health research project focusing on families from Bristol and its surroundings, which commenced in 1991.
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