Too many calories eaten and not enough calories burned.  You know the result – weight gain.  And you likely know that an increase in weight may lead to health problems such as diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease.  But did you know that packing on the pounds may also contribute to problems in your head?  Specifically, a decline in your ability to process information as you get older.

According to a new study¹ from Sweden, men and women who had high a body mass index (BMI) – a measure of body fatness based on height and weight – in midlife (average age 42) were more likely to have lower cognitive scores 20 to 40 years later in life than adults who had lower BMI at midlife.  In addition, the cognitive function of those with high BMIs at midlife declined faster than men and women with a lower BMI.  The researchers accounted for age, alcohol use, smoking, and cardiovascular disease risk in the analyses so the study results seem to be independent of certain known risk factors.   Still, the exact mechanism for why this might be happening has yet to be determined.  For example, what, if any, role might dietary or physical activity differences played in this association between BMI and cognitive health?

Nonetheless, it makes sense to prevent weight gain in early, middle, and older age.   How?  Through calorie balance.  Also, in our “Flex Your Brain Muscle” blog we touched on how regular physical activity is showing promise in reducing cognitive decline with age. 

Our advice?  Keep your brain nimble by maintaining a healthy weight and being physically active.  

¹ Dahl A et al. Being overweight in midlife is associated with lower cognitive ability and steeper cognitive decline in adults. Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences.  2010;65A(1):57-62.