Publication Date
2026
Presentation Length
Poster/Gallery presentation
College
College of Sciences & Mathematics
Department
Psychological Sciences and Neurosciences, Department of
Student Level
Undergraduate
Faculty Mentor
Adam Smiley
Metadata/Fulltext
Metadata ONLY
Presentation Type
Poster
Summary
Dementia affects over 55 million people worldwide. That number is expected to rise to 150 million patients worldwide, with the overwhelming majority of cases being Alzheimer's disease (AD). There is no cure or medicine that can cure Alzheimer’s disease; we can only try to prevent it. To prevent the rise in cases of Alzheimer's disease, we must learn what causes AD, what we can control, and how we can control it. What is known is that age, genetics, and family history are the main risk factors in 60% of AD cases. The other 40% are lifestyle factors such as diet, BMI, physical exercise, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and much more. This study will examine which of those lifestyle factors most lowers the risk of developing AD. Along with what factors are important, this research will also see if sex and ethnicity play a role in developing AD. To test these questions, I will use the CDC’s 2024 BRFSS (Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System) survey data (N=457,670). I hypothesize that having a poor diet and limited exercise will have the strongest correlation with developing AD. Poor diet and low exercise lead to other illnesses like hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, which, when compounded, will increase the likelihood of developing a case of dementia. I also hypothesize that sex and ethnicity will have very little to do with developing AD. Data will be analyzed, and the results will be presented at SPARK.
Recommended Citation
Magro, Luke, "Risk factors and prevention of Alzheimer's disease: How to beat the odds" (2026). SPARK Symposium Presentations. 887.
https://repository.belmont.edu/spark_presentations/887
