More evidence demonstrating crushing blow that obesity has on our population.
Obesity — even a few extra pounds — already is a known cause of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Now there’s evidence that excess weight shrinks the brains of elderly people, making them potentially more vulnerable to Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and cognitive decline. “The key thing is, good vascular health equals good brain health,”said Cyrus Raji, lead author of a new study, “Brain Structure and Obesity,”published online this week in Human Brain Mapping.”What’s bad for the heart also is bad for the brain.” The study focused on 94 subjects, 70 and older, who were overweight (with a body mass index from 25 to 29.9) or obese (with a BMI 30 or higher). Normal BMI is 18.5 to 24.9. – From Seattle Times