Brains of overweight people ‘ten years older’ than lean counterparts at middle-age

September, 2016

Data from 473 adults aged 20-87 has found striking differences in the volume of white matter among middle-aged and older adults, depending on the weight of the individuals. These changes were also associated with greater brain shrinkage. These differences were equivalent to some 10 years in brain age – e.g., an overweight person at, say, 50 years old had a comparable white matter volume to a lean person aged 60 years.

The differences were not found among younger adults. Nor was there any connection between being overweight or obese and an individual’s cognitive abilities, as measured using a standard test similar to an IQ test.

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-08/uoc-boo080316.php

Ronan, L et al. Obesity associated with increased brain-age from mid-life. Neurobiology of Aging; e-pub 27 July 2016; DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2016.07.010

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