- A new study reveals that excess fat on one’s body changes the structure and function of the brain
- The brain structure changed by fats are those that enable humans to recall past events with episodic memory
- Previous research has also linked obesity with dysfunction in areas of the brain involved with memory, decision making, problem solving and emotions
CAMBRIDGE, England – A new study revealed that excess fat on the body changes the structure and function of the brain, including human’s ability to recall past events with episodic memory.
An article by The Indian Express published on February 28 said that researchers at the University of Cambridge asked adults to play a “treasure hunt” computer game, and results showed that the ones with higher body mass indexes were less able to remember the location of hidden items than those with lower BMIs.
“A higher BMI is having some reduction on the vividness of memory,” study author Dr. Lucy Cheke reportedly said as quoted by James Gallagher in his article for BBC News published on February 26.
“But they’re not drawing blanks and having amnesia,” Dr. Cheke further remarked.
Photo Credit: National Geographic Channel
However, this lack of total recall might just tip the scale against someone who’s quite on the obese category.
“If they have a less strong memory of a recent meal, with a less strong impact in the mind, then they may have less ability to regulate how much they eat later on,” added Dr. Cheke.
“We are certainly beginning to observe the mechanisms that obesity perpetuates itself. Hopefully knowing what’s going on will help us to develop ways of helping people,” she explained further.
An article by Nicole Lyn Pesce for the New York Daily News published on February 26 said that the researchers haven’t pinpointed yet the direct connection between obesity and losing memory, but previous research has also linked obesity with dysfunction in areas of the brain involved with memory, decision making, problem solving and emotions.
Overall, this study should at least remind people to try eating less, to watch one’s weight and to be more actively physically to keep fit.
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