Losing weight, quitting smoking may reduce risk of old age dementia

London: A new study has revealed that old age dementia can be avoided by losing weight, quitting smoking and reducing heart disease and diabetes risk.

The World Alzheimer's Report 2014 commissioned by Alzheimer's disease International said that dementia's links to physical health could be effective at fending off dementia even in later life, the Independent reported.

Diabetes can increase a person's risk of dementia by 50 per cent, while obesity and a lack of physical activity lead to high blood pressure, which has also been linked to many cases of dementia.

Marc Wortmann, executive director of Alzheimer's Disease International, said that the risk factors for dementia "overlap" with those of other major non-communicable diseases.

George McNamara, head of policy at the UK's Alzheimer's Society, said many lifestyle factors play a key role in the development of dementia.