Reported by ScienceDaily
Carrying excess weight may affect more than physical health. New research from the University of Georgia suggests that having a higher body mass index may also speed up cognitive decline, potentially causing memory and thinking abilities to deteriorate more quickly with age.
Some cognitive changes are a natural part of getting older. Remembering information, thinking clearly, and processing new details can become more difficult over time. For healthy adults, however, these changes are usually relatively mild and develop gradually.
The new findings suggest that excess body weight may accelerate this process. Researchers found that people with higher body mass index (BMI) experienced faster declines in memory, overall cognitive performance, and executive functioning. These abilities are essential for everyday activities such as concentrating, planning, organizing tasks, and regulating emotions.
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To investigate the connection, the research team analyzed data from a nationally representative study that tracked more than 8,200 adults over age 50 for 24 years.
The results revealed a consistent relationship between body weight and cognitive health. Each one-point increase in BMI was associated with a faster rate of cognitive decline, suggesting that even relatively small differences in body weight could matter over time.
The association was strongest at the eighth year of the study, and adults older than 65 showed the most pronounced effects.
Despite the concerning findings, researchers also identified a potentially encouraging opportunity to protect brain health. Managing body weight may help slow cognitive decline, with possible benefits becoming apparent within just two years.
"We found that if people managed their weight, they could significantly lower their rate of cognitive decline in just two years," said Suhang Song, the study's lead author and an assistant professor at the University of Georgia's College of Public Health. "That makes BMI one of the most easily modifiable risk factors when it comes to aging well."
Obesity, generally defined as a BMI of 30 or higher, has been associated with poorer brain health. However, scientists are still working to understand exactly why carrying excess body weight may interfere with memory and other cognitive abilities.
Several biological processes could help explain the connection.…