According to theOffice for National Statistics, dementia and Alzheimer’s (the latter being the most common type of the former) were the leading causes of death in 2022 in the UK, together accounting for 11.4% of total deaths, up slightly from 10.4% the year before. The global tally of those living with dementia is set to reach nearly 153 million by 2050, while the costs associated with the condition are now over £780bn annually.
But the good news is that, in around 50% of cases globally, dementia could, at least in theory, be delayed or prevented altogether by tackling lifestyle risk factors, with physical activity having a key role to play.
16th December 2024
This summer’s latest Lancet Commission study on preventing dementia, partially funded by the UK’s Alzheimer’s Society, cited later-life, untreated vision loss and high mid-life levels of ‘bad’ cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) as risk factors in developing the disease, contributing respectively to 2% and 7% of all cases.
The study added that, theoretically, addressing and eliminating preventable risk factors could cut the numbers of cases of dementia by half.
The Alzheimer’s Society told journalists: “It’s never too early or late to reduce your risk of dementia. You can manage some factors, such as a lack of physical exercise, by changing your lifestyle. If we can support people to do this, potentially hundreds of thousands of fewer people in the UK will develop dementia.”
Women are still more likely to have dementia than men, while age is still the biggest risk factor, while there is also a genetic element. Additionally, some aspects are societal, including the fact that your risk is higher if you live in a deprived area; pollution has also been identified as being behind some cases, as has access to good healthcare, especially for treating hearing and vision loss and head injuries.
Among the Lancet Commission’s recommendations were hearing aids for those who needed them, high-quality education, being cognitively active in midlife and identifying high levels of cholesterol from the age of 40 onwards.
At the same time, smoking cessation, not drinking alcohol excessively and exercising more are among the things individuals can do to reduce their dementia risk. Such things will also help with a whole range of other issues, including high blood pressure and cholesterol, obesity, diabetes and depression.
And one of the best ways of remaining physically active throughout your life is to head along to your local outdoor gym, which you can access for free without the often hefty joining fees of indoor facilities, and where you’ll also reap all the rewards of exercising outside.
At Fresh Air Fitness, we’re an award-winning UK provider of high-quality outdoor gym equipment for a range of settings, from parks and schools to residential settings such as homes for older people.
Our broad array of equipment provides options for all ages and abilities, and for those completely new to exercise to those who train regularly. With product ranges including Strength, Cardio and Flexibility, regular users can improve fitness and endurance, build muscular strength, and develop balance and flexibility.
In fact users can reap all the benefits of an indoor gym in the fresh air, at a time convenient to them. We have more than 4,5000 outdoor gyms installed across the UK, find you nearest gym here or talk to us today about how we could make your community fitter and healthier, and ultimately help ward off conditions such as dementia.
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