A new study finds obese people have 8 percent less brain tissue than normal-weight individuals. Their brains look 16 years older than the brains of lean individuals, researchers said today.
Those classified as overweight have 4 percent less brain tissue and their brains appear to have aged prematurely by 8 years.
The results, based on brain scans of 94 people in their 70s, represent "severe brain degeneration," said Paul Thompson, senior author of the study and a UCLA professor of neurology.
"That's a big loss of tissue and it depletes your cognitive reserves, putting you at much greater risk of Alzheimer's and other diseases that attack the brain," said Thompson. "But you can greatly reduce your risk for Alzheimer's, if you can eat healthily and keep your weight under control."
The findings are detailed in the online edition of the journal Human Brain Mapping.
Isn’t it bad enough that we have to look fat; do we have to have a fat brain too? I say all the more reason to remember our essential omega 3 fatty acids. They call it a brain booster. Maybe it can make up for bad food choices.
ha ha ha starrybird. Funny post. I guess this serves as even greater motivation for me to lose weight. Knowing that obesity also will age my brain is something that is extremely worrisome. debby, how did you find out about this study?
Obese People Have 'Severe Brain Degeneration'
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