Excess body weight can significantly accelerate brain aging, causing a faster decline in memory, concentration and executive function, researchers at the University of Georgia's College of Public Health in the United States have found. The results of the large-scale observational study were published in the medical journal "Journal of Neurology," infohub.kz reports.
For the study, the authors analyzed a representative sample covering data from more than 8,200 adults over the age of 50. Participants' health was tracked continuously for 24 years. The results showed a direct link between body weight and the pace of nervous system aging: each additional point on the body mass index (BMI) accelerated the decline in cognitive abilities. The negative trend was most pronounced in the eighth year of observation, and among people over 65 the harmful effect of obesity was at its strongest.
Extra pounds take a toll on the ability to plan actions, organize everyday tasks and manage emotions. The biological mechanism behind this link is that obesity triggers systemic inflammation, impairs cerebral blood flow and causes insulin resistance. All of this greatly increases the likelihood of cognitive impairment, including Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia.
The researchers stress that body weight is one of the key modifiable factors that can protect the brain in old age. At the same time, the study revealed encouraging therapeutic potential. Lead author Sukhan Sun, an assistant professor, explained that stabilizing and reducing body weight can noticeably slow the decline in brain function within just two years. With no drugs available to treat dementia, weight control is becoming an accessible means of prevention.