Lifestyle Recommendations for Dementia Prevention: PASCAL

Abstract

The increasing number of persons with dementia poses a serious threat to public health in an aging society. Efforts to curb the rising prevalence of dementia have directed attention to health promotion as a viable strategy for delaying dementia onset and maintaining cognitive function in later life. For the latter purpose, public recommendations were developed based on a systematic review of the literature. Significant lifestyle variables found to predict cognitive function and dementia in later life were physical activity, non-smoking, social activity, cognitive activity, moderate alcohol consumption, normal body weight (BMI), and healthy nutrition and diet (fish, vegetables, fruits, vitamin C and E, etc.). Cognitive health recommendations were developed and named PASCAL, an acronym for (1) Physical activity, (2) Anti-smoking, (3) Social activity, (4) Cognitive activity, (5) Alcohol drinking in moderation, and (6) Lean body mass and healthy diet. These recommendations can be used to educate the public and raise awareness in health professionals to the important role a healthy lifestyle plays in maintaining cognitive health in later life.