Shorter men more prone to dementia: study

Short men are more likely to die from dementia than taller men, scientists say on the basis of the first study of its kind linking height with mental decline in old age.

According to researchers at the University of Edinburgh, men who were 5ft 5 inches or shorter stood a 50 per cent higher risk of developing and dying from dementia, that those who were 5ft 8 inches or taller (See: Height linked to dementia risk).

According to the academics height was an important indicator of developmental difficulties in childhood, such as stress, illness and poor nutrition, The Telegraph reported.

They warn of life-long damage while the body was growing, which might only become evident much later in life and suggest that breakfast clubs, vaccination programmes and improved parenting schemes could help counter the dementia uptrend.

According to lead author, Dr Tom Russ, of the University of Edinburgh's College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine, this just showed the importance of early intervention to make sure children had proper nutrition and were not at risk.

He added, the researchers found that shorter adult height was associated with an increased risk of subsequent dementia death and that this association was stronger in men than it was in women.