Obesity leads to decline in brain power

Staying slim not only reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and many cancers; it is also better for brain power according to a new study published in the Neurology journal.

The study’s purpose was to examine the link between BMI levels and cognitive function and decline. Researchers monitored 6000 British people aged between 30 and 55 over a 10 year period.

Their findings indicate that people who were obese showed the fastest levels of cognitive decline. Therefore, if you are of normal weight then as you age your level of cognitive decline will be slower than someone who is obese. Obesity is already known to be a risk factor for dementia.


I read this study with great interest and it is yet another motivating factor for me to eat healthy and maintain a normal weight. For most people cognitive functions are essential at work and in our everyday lives, but for my work – research and teaching, cognitive skills are crucial.

I would like to think that I will still have my faculties in old age and will still be writing when I am a senior citizen. After all, my late grandmother who passed away in December 2005 at the age of 103 (pictured above) still had an excellent memory, a sense of humour and very was articulate, right to the end.

I hope I have inherited some of her genes, but I’d rather play it safe and stay as slim as possible to have the greatest chance of maintaining my brain power if I ever reach her age!

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