A recent study reveals that weight gain may accelerate the decline in cognitive abilities in humans as they age, highlighting the importance of maintaining a healthy weight to protect the brain.
Cognitive decline is a natural part of aging; many people experience increasing difficulty remembering things or thinking clearly compared to their younger years. These changes are usually mild and occur gradually in healthy individuals.
However, the study, conducted by researchers at the University of Georgia and published in the journal Neurology, suggests that a higher body mass index (BMI) may accelerate this decline. This includes a decline in memory and concentration, as well as what are known as executive functions, such as task organization, planning, and emotional regulation.
The study was based on following more than 8,200 people over the age of fifty over a period of 24 years, and it was found that every small increase in body mass index is associated with an acceleration in the deterioration of brain health.
However, the results have a positive side; the researchers showed that weight control can significantly slow this decline within a relatively short period of no more than two years, making weight one of the most important factors that can be modified to maintain brain health.
The researchers also noted that the relationship between excess weight and cognitive decline was clearer in people over 65, and was particularly pronounced during the eighth year of the study.
Although obesity, defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, is negatively associated with brain health, the precise mechanism of this effect is not yet fully understood. Researchers suggest that excess weight may cause chronic inflammation, reduce blood flow, and lead to insulin resistance—factors that may contribute to dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
