Researchers from the University of Georgia report that adults with higher body mass index (BMI) experienced faster declines in memory and thinking abilities over time. The study followed more than 8,200 adults over age 50 for 24 years, using data from a nationally representative study.
Each one-point increase in BMI was associated with a faster rate of Cognitive decline. The link was strongest at the study’s eighth year and was most pronounced among participants older than 65. The affected abilities included executive functions such as concentration, planning and organizing tasks.
The researchers also found that managing body weight may be associated with a slower rate of decline, with potential benefits appearing within two years. Lead author Suhang Song, an assistant professor at the University of Georgia’s College of Public Health, said weight management could make BMI a modifiable factor relevant to cognitive health as people age.
The study does not establish that excess weight directly causes cognitive decline. The researchers say possible biological explanations include inflammation, impaired blood circulation and insulin resistance, but the reasons for the association are not yet fully understood.
The findings were published in the Journal of Neurology in a paper examining the association between cumulative average BMI and cognitive decline over 24 years.
Sources: ScienceDaily.