Fat Brits with beer bellies ‘have SMALLER brains – and higher dementia risk’
TUBBY Brits with beer bellies and muffin tops have smaller brains and risk getting dementia, a study suggests.
Researchers measured body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio and body fat of 9,652 people, average age 55. They also used MRI scans to determine volumes for white and grey brain matter.
Grey matter contains most of the brain’s nerve cells and includes regions involved in muscle control. White matter contains nerve fibre bundles that connect regions of the brain.
The team also accounted for the impact of age, physical activity, smoking and blood pressure on brain volume.
They found 1,291 people with high BMI and high waist-to-hip ratio had the lowest grey matter brain volume at 786 cubic centimetres.
The 514 people with a high BMI, but normal high waist-to-hip ratio, were at 793 cubic cms. The 3,025 people at a healthy weight were at 798 cubic cms. There were no major differences in white matter brain volume.
Prof Mark Hamer, of Loughborough University, said: “Existing research has linked brain shrinkage to memory decline and dementia.
"Our research found obesity, specifically around the middle, may be linked with brain shrinkage. We also found links between obesity and shrinkage in certain brain regions.
“This will need further research but it is possible that someday regularly measuring BMI and waist-to-hip ratio may help determine brain health.”
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