Body Weight and Incident Dementia

Abstract

Comments on the articles by A. L. Dahl et al. (see record 2008-18152-012) and D. S. Knopman (see record 2008-18152-024). I believe that the issue can be further clarified by careful attention to details of the definitions and choice of language used for ranges of body weight and the implications of change in weight over the 8 years of this study. Such attention can illuminate the changing relationship between body mass and health across the life span and especially in middle and old age, a quandary that has forever fascinated but perplexed gerontologists and geriatricians. Here I call attention to the choice by the authors to employ the current standard classification of body weight according to height (as body mass index; BMI)-a classification that does not vary according to age-and accordingly apply the charged terms of "normal", "overweight," and "obese" to the subjects of this longitudinal investigation. Knopman writes of "obesity appearing within 10 years of dementia," whereas in point of fact, there are no data regarding new-onset obesity in this study population. Indeed, in my clinical experience, new-onset obesity in elderly persons is vanishingly rare. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)