US, Oct. 7 -- People who are overweight or obese when they are diagnosed with dementia are likely to live longer than those in a normal weight range, according to a new study published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.

While the underlying reasons are not fully understood, the findings suggest that one's weight status at the time of a dementia diagnosis may provide meaningful prognostic information about survival and underscore the need for greater attention to nutrition among those with dementia.

"This doesn't mean that patients with dementia should attempt to become overweight or obese, as our study was not designed to test that question. But our findings do suggest that weight status may serve as a useful prognostic signal for ...