Pedestrians walk across the street near Times Square in New York Aug. 28, 2007. Having a big waistline in your midlife could almost triple the threat of dementia in old age, according to a U.S. research published Wednesday. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, March 27 (Xinhuanet) -- Having a big waistline in your midlife could almost triple the threat of dementia in old age, according to a U.S. research published Wednesday.

    Obesity is a known risk factor for Alzheimer's, but scientists found even those of normal weight were more at risk if they had a large waist.

    The study of 6,583 adults found that people with the highest amount of abdominal fat between the ages of 40 and 45 were about three times more likely to develop dementia than those with the lowest amount of abdominal fat.

    By contrast, people who had parents or a sibling with Alzheimer's disease faced twice the risk of developing the disease. |
    
    The report in the journal Neurology was the latest to show that belly fat can pose serious health risks, even for those who are not obese. Previous researches have shown that people with large abdomens face a greater chance of diabetes, stroke and heart disease.

    Dementia is an age-related condition that involves the loss of memory and other cognitive functions. It affects 5.7 million Americans, or about 1 in 10 people over age 65. Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, accounting for 60 percent to 80 percent of the cases.

    About 50 percent of the nation's adults have an unhealthy amount of belly fat, according to the latest report.

    People who tend to pack on abdominal fat are often described as apple-shaped and have a waist-to-hip ratio greater than 1 to 1 if they are male and greater than 0.8 to 1 if they are female.

    The other major overweight group has a body type described as pear-shaped, characterized by fat around the thighs and lower body. 

    (Agencies)