It is "really important" for people to take steps to reduce their risk of dementia, according to the Alzheimer's Society.

A spokesperson for the care and research charity said that the threat of dementia-related illnesses such as Alzheimer's can be reduced through taking regular exercise, not smoking and drinking only in moderation.

"There is a growing amount of evidence now, with lots of different research studies. People know what to look for more now and the ways that diet and exercise can affect your chances of getting dementia," she stated.

Concluding, she said that dementia is set to double over the next 50 years and that the increased rates of people suffering from the condition could be related to obesity.

Recent research by King's College London and the London School of Economics and Political Science suggested that by 2025, some one million people in the UK will have dementia.