Brains of obese people show premature ageing

A study performed at the University of Cambridge has found that the brains of obese individuals display the differences seen in lean individuals that are 10 years their senior. Brains are known to shrink with age and these changes are found in the white matter part of the brain. This study analysed cross-sectional data from 473 individuals and found that the white matter of obese individuals was different to that of a lean person of the same age, but the same of that of a lean person 10 years older.

The researchers only noticed this difference in middle-aged and older individuals, suggesting that our brains are more vulnerable during this period of time. Dr Lisa Ronan, from the Department of Psychiatry at the University, explained that we are still unsure what the specific mechanisms involved are. However, the team further mentioned that the combination of the ageing population as well as the rise of obesity meant that this issue will be very important in the coming years and that they are hoping to continue this work in the future.