New research published in the Journal of Health Psychology suggests that a specific measurement of body shape called the Body Roundness Index provides evidence of a link between excess belly fat and depression in people with dementia. The findings indicate that older adults with dementia who have a more rounded body shape face significantly higher odds of experiencing depressive symptoms. This provides a potential new tool for doctors to identify and monitor mental health risks in older patients experiencing cognitive decline. Scientists conducted this study to better understand how physical health conditions contribute to mood disorders in older adults experiencing cognitive decline. Felipe Kenji Sudo, a medical doctor and researcher affiliated with the D’Or Institute for Research and Education in Brazil, explained the motivation behind the project. “Depression is very common in people with dementia, but it is not always easy to recognize or anticipate in everyday clinical practice,” Sudo said. “We wanted to explore whether simple measures related to body fat distribution might be associated with depression in this population,” Sudo noted. Dementia is …