Dementia Risk Factors

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Introduction
Dementia is one of the major health issues in Australian aged population. According to Holmes and Amin (2016, p.687), Dementia refers to “a range of progressive organic brain diseases characterized by problems of short-term memory and other cognitive deficits.” The seven lifestyle behaviours can contribute to the onset of almost half of the total dementia cases in Australia (Ashby-Mitchell, Burns, Shaw & Anstey, 2017). Therefore, it is important to focus on preventive strategies based on these lifestyle factors. This report will first outline three modifiable risk factors resulting in the onset of dementia in Australia including mid-life overweight, lack of mental stimulation and insufficient social participation. It will then …show more content…
Mid-life obesity develop dementia by impacting the cognitive function and weakening the mental capacity. Prickett, Brennan and Stolwyk (2014, p.109) state that mid-life obesity can develop cognitive issue affecting psychomotor activity, intellectual capabilities, creativity, decision making, set shifting and visual construction. These problems slow down the mental function and result in memory loss, confusion and cognitive impairment. Since obesity is the major health issue in Australia, there is the higher risk of dementia due to obesity among Australians. Nepal et al. (2014, p.5) show that mid-life obesity in Australia is an increasing trend, which can lead to wide-spread of dementia within Australia. Similarly, according to Nepal, Brown and Anstey (2014, p. 4), compared to normal aged population, dementia cases is found higher among middle-aged obese Australians. Moreover, Ashby-Mitchell, Burns, Shaw and Anstey (2017, p.4) also claim that dementia prevalence due to obesity is higher in Australia than other developed nations. Therefore, reducing mid-life obesity to half of its present rate decrease the risk of dementia prevalence in Australia (Nepal et al., 2014, p.5). Thus, obesity is major lifestyle risk factor causing dementia in Australia and focusing on this lifestyle factor will reduce its occurrence in …show more content…
Decreasing cognitive activities is the major lifestyle factor which may influence dementia prevalence significantly. Burn and Szoeke, (2014, p.123) state that reduced number of activities requiring cognitive skills can accelerate the rate of cognitive decline in old age. Kim, Sargent-Cox and Anstey (2015, p.1700) indicate that lack of mental activity may have the major contribution in the onset of dementia among Australians. Kim et. al (2015, p.1697) also claim that decreasing mental stimulation is a widely known lifestyle factor among Australians. This shows that although Australians are aware of the risk of mental inactivity causing dementia, there is still a high rate of dementia due to lack of intellectual stimulation. Therefore, focusing on the current scenario, they are increasingly involved in mentally stimulating activities, as it is strongly linked to dementia risk reduction (Smith, Ali & Quach, 2015). Besides insufficient cognitive engagement, lack of social participation is also equally responsible for causing dementia. Lack of social involvement results in isolation and loneliness which may impact cognitive health negatively leading to dementia. Ervin, Pallant, Terry, Bourke, Pierce and Glenister (2015, p.254) state that, reduced social engagement among Australians may result in dementia including depression and apathy. Since social
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