Excess Weight In Older Women Linked To Memory Loss
Researchers have found a link between obesity among older women and poor memory. This is especially true among women who have excess weight around their hips, but not as much of a problem among women who carry it around their waists.
According to the new study, every one point increase in a woman's body mass index (BMI), her score on a standard memory test drops by one point. BMI is a measurement that takes into account height and weight.
The study included nearly 9,000 women who were enrolled in the Women's Health Initiative, a large government-sponsored study of postmenopausal women, and was released online July 14 in advance of publication in the August print issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
The study illustrates the significance of keeping an ideal body weight. After taking age, level of education and vascular diseases into account, the researchers found that the association between obesity and poorer memory and brain function persisted.
More studies are needed to confirm and explain the apparent disparity between pear- and apple-shaped women. However, one possible explanation is that the type of fat that's deposited on the hips is more likely to release hormones that are detrimental to brain function.
This study adds to several others involving body shape, in which obese apple-shaped women — but not pear-shaped women — were found to be at higher risk of diabetes, heart disease and dementia.
July 26th, 2010 at 3:55 am
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September 24th, 2010 at 10:40 am
Great article. Our brain needs good nutrition just like the rest of our body to work efficiently. All women especially those in menopause should avoid fatty foods and increase their consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables along with whole grains to reduce weight and improve memory.
October 14th, 2010 at 3:23 am
Really good article. I think most of people don´t think too much about health care and it´s really important to realize that we have to take care about us. Life is only one time.