Memory Problems in Old Age Caused By Obesity?
Posted on February 15, 2009
Previously, it was showed that obesity is
connected to high blood pressure, diabetes, or cardiovascular diseases.
However, being overweight or obese in old age is not necessary linked
to memory loss, according to recent study.
The study conducted during a six year period involved almost 3,900
people over age 65 in Chicago where thirty-seven percent were
overweight and twenty-five percent were obese. At the beginning of the
study, the participants were given four cognitive tests and the
experience repeated every three years during the study period.
The study`s results showed no significant changes for the overweight or
obese subjects. In fact, underweight participants had a cognitive
decline over time.
Researchers don`t know yet why being
overweight is not related to cognitive decline in old age, but there is
a correlation between being underweight and the initial stages of
Alzheimer`s disease, according to Maureen Sturman, study author at the
Rush University Medical Center.
Previous studies connected
middle age obesity with increased risk to suffer from Alzheimer`s
disease, but the new findings show that old age and obesity have no
influence on the memory, said Sturman.
Knowing
the role that body weight has on cognition may enhance the capacity to
develop better health promotion recommendations for elders, according
to researchers. Lifestyle guidelines that focus on cardio respiratory
fitness, dietary recommendations, and increasing cognitive activity are
more efficient than those for weight loss only , said Sturman.
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