WeeklySA_AdminAWARENESS: While up to 45% of dementia cases may be preventable through lifestyle changes, traditional public health campaigns are failing to inspire lasting behaviour change, according to a study…
By Own Correspondent
Nearly half of all dementia cases could be prevented by addressing modifiable risk factors such as physical inactivity, smoking, poor education, social isolation and other lifestyle-related factors. Yet new research led by Australia’s Curtin University warns that public health campaigns are doing too little to encourage the sustained behavioural changes needed to reduce the growing burden of the disease.
The findings, published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity, reveal that although large-scale awareness campaigns successfully reach broad audiences, they generally produce only modest improvements in knowledge and have limited impact on changing people’s daily habits.
The international review examined dementia prevention campaigns and public health programmes across eight countries. It concluded that more engaging, personalised and community-based approaches are essential if societies are to meaningfully reduce dementia risk.
Professor Mario Siervo, from Curtin University’s School of Population Health, said the research highlights a persistent gap between awareness and action.
“Up to 45% of dementia cases are linked to modifiable factors we can change, including our lifestyle, health status and environment,” he said.
“But simply telling people about these risks is not enough. Awareness campaigns are important, but on their own they rarely lead to meaningful or lasting behaviour change.”
The review comes alongside a second Curtin-led study, published in Clinical Nutrition, which provides fresh evidence on the importance of muscle health in preventing dementia.
Tracking almost 500,000 adults over more than a decade, researchers found that people with both low muscle strength and excess body fat—a condition known as sarcopenic obesity—were significantly more likely to develop dementia.
By contrast, obesity alone was not linked to a higher dementia risk when muscle strength was maintained, suggesting that preserving muscle health is just as important as managing body weight.
Curtin University’s Chair in Dementia at the enAble Institute, Professor Blossom Stephan, said many people still mistakenly believe dementia is an inevitable consequence of ageing.
“There is still a widespread belief that dementia is an unavoidable part of ageing, which is not the case,” she said.
“Even when people understand the risks, barriers such as time, cost and motivation often prevent them from making healthier lifestyle choices.”
The review found that interactive and personalised interventions consistently outperformed traditional information campaigns in motivating people to adopt healthier behaviours.
Among the most effective approaches were:
Online education programmes that provide practical guidance for improving brain health.
Personalised dementia risk assessments showing individuals how their lifestyle affects their future risk.
Community-based education led by trusted local figures, including peer educators, healthcare workers and community leaders.
Professor Siervo said these strategies empower people to understand their personal risk and take realistic, sustainable action.
“When people understand their own personal risk and are given clear, practical ways to act—especially through trusted community networks—they are far more likely to make meaningful lifestyle changes,” he said.
Successful programmes included community education sessions led by local leaders, culturally tailored initiatives delivered in familiar settings and interactive workshops that helped participants set achievable health goals.
Professor Stephan believes future dementia prevention efforts must extend beyond simply raising awareness. “We need to combine broad public messaging with targeted support that helps people take action,” she said.
“That means investing in programmes that are accessible, culturally relevant and designed with communities rather than simply delivered to them.”
With dementia rates expected to rise sharply over the coming decades, the researchers argue that prevention remains one of the most effective tools available. However, they stress that success will depend on shifting public health strategies from simply informing people about dementia risk to actively supporting lasting behavioural change.
HEALTH Briefs
Sugar-Free diet may harm gut health
Completely eliminating sugar from a low-fat diet may do more harm than good, according to new research presented at ENDO 2026, the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting in Chicago.
Researchers from the Dasman Diabetes Institute in Kuwait found that mice fed a sucrose-free low-fat diet for 16 weeks developed impaired glucose control, insulin resistance, gut microbiome imbalances, intestinal inflammation and early signs of fatty liver disease.
Surprisingly, these changes occurred even though the animals did not gain more weight than those fed a low-fat diet containing sucrose.
Lead researcher Dr Rasheed Ahmad said the findings suggest that cutting out sugar entirely may unintentionally disrupt the delicate balance of beneficial gut bacteria, which play a vital role in metabolism, immunity and overall health.
The study compared mice fed a sucrose-free low-fat diet with those receiving a similar diet that included sucrose.
Researchers assessed glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, metabolic hormones, gut bacteria and inflammation in the liver and colon.
While the findings are limited to animal research, the scientists believe they could influence future dietary recommendations by shifting the focus from simply eliminating sugar to maintaining a balanced intake of carbohydrates that supports a healthy gut microbiome.
The researchers say further studies in humans are needed before firm dietary recommendations can be made.
Polluted air raises risks for newborns
Pregnant women exposed to indoor air pollution and tobacco smoke may be increasing their babies’ risk of breathing problems, premature birth and poor growth, according to new research by the University of Cape Town (UCT).
Published in BMJ Open Respiratory Research, the study analysed 1,143 births from the Drakenstein Child Health Study, one of Africa’s largest birth cohort projects. Researchers found that 17% of babies were born prematurely, 15% had low birth weight and 7% experienced respiratory distress at birth.
Babies exposed to high levels of particulate matter (PM10) during pregnancy were almost twice as likely to suffer breathing difficulties at birth. Exposure to carbon monoxide also increased the likelihood of respiratory problems. The study further linked maternal smoking to reduced newborn growth.
Lead researcher Professor Aneesa Vanker said pollutants inhaled during pregnancy can cross the placenta and affect foetal development before birth. Despite 93% of participating households having electricity, many still relied on fossil fuels for cooking and heating, contributing to indoor pollution.
The researchers say reducing indoor air pollution, discouraging smoking during pregnancy and expanding access to clean energy could significantly improve birth outcomes and protect children’s long-term respiratory health.
Exercise ‘helps smokers quit’
Exercise can play a significant role in helping smokers quit, according to new research from the University of Adelaide, which found that physical activity reduces cigarette cravings, lowers daily smoking and improves long-term quit rates.
The systematic review and meta-analysis examined 59 randomised controlled trials involving more than 9,000 participants.
Researchers found that people who took part in exercise programmes were 15% more likely to remain smoke-free and 21% more likely to report not smoking over a seven-day period than those who did not exercise.
The study also found that regular exercise reduced cigarette consumption by an average of two cigarettes a day, while even a single exercise session eased cravings for up to 30 minutes.
Lead researcher Dr Ben Singh said exercise offers smokers a practical, affordable way to support their quit attempts.
“Quitting smoking is one of the best things a person can do for their health, but it is also one of the hardest. Something as simple as regular exercise can help people manage cravings, smoke less and improve their chances of quitting,” he said.
Researchers stress that exercise should complement, not replace, proven smoking cessation methods such as counselling and medication. They are now exploring whether exercise can also help people quit vaping.
Dual-action creatine formula launched
South African sports nutrition brand NPL has introduced what it says is the country’s first locally available creatine supplement to combine Creatine Monohydrate and Creatine Nitrate in a single, stimulant-free formula.
The product delivers 5g of creatine per serving, combining the muscle energy benefits of creatine monohydrate with nitrates that support nitric oxide production, helping improve blood flow and oxygen delivery during exercise.
According to NPL, the dual-action formula is designed to support strength, endurance and muscle pumps while containing no stimulants or added sugar, making it suitable for people who prefer to avoid caffeine-based pre-workout supplements.
Marketing Manager Cherrie Blackmore said the new formulation responds to growing demand from South African athletes and fitness enthusiasts for more advanced creatine options that combine performance and convenience in a single product.
NPL Creatine Nitrate is now available through the company’s retail outlets and online sales channels.
