Obesity Doesn't Go Well with IQ: Researchers Say
Obesity and overweight people (those with BMI above 25) around the world are on the rise to almost two billion marks. This is extra than 20% of estimated 7.4 billion people currently populating the planet.The connection between weight problems and a number of chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and some kinds of most cancers is nicely established. However, not much has been explored about how the excess body weight influences the structure and function of the brain.
Does IQ Level Relate with Body Weight?
Statistically considerable correlation between extra body weight and decreased IQ level has been confirmed in more than one studies. What was not clear for a very long time is the course of causality.
Does obesity cause a decline in mental capabilities? Or perhaps people with lower IQ level are greater susceptible to become overweight?
A meta-analysis published in 2010 summarized 26 different research on this topic. The main conclusion of this analysis was that there is a sturdy link between lower IQ level in childhood and the development of obesity in adulthood.
In one Swedish find out about involving 5286 males the IQ stage was examined at the age of 18 and again at the age of 40 At each testing, the BMI of contributors was once also evaluated. The outcomes certainly show that people with lower IQ level have a higher Body Mass Index (BMI).
Another study carried out in New Zealand included 913 participants. Their IQ ranges were measured when they were of 3, 7, 9, 11 and finally at the age of 38. This study also concluded that lower IQ level in childhood leads to obesity. People with decrease IQ degree at the age of 38 were more overweight than people with higher IQ level.
Over 3000 people were participating in a study conducted in Great Britain. The subjects were observed for more than 50 years. Their IQ levels were measured at the age of 7, 11 and 16. At the age of 51, their BMI was measured.
Their outcomes show without any doubt that IQ level at the age of 7 can predict higher BMI at the age of 51. Also, the results show that BMI grows quicker after the age of 16 among humans with lower IQ level.
Another study conducted in Great Britain involved 17,414 individuals. The IQ stage was assessed at the age of 11 BMI was evaluated at the age of 16, 23, 33 and 42. The results of this study also confirm that decrease childhood IQ level is linked to obesity in adulthood.
Therefore, using a decent Diet formula or weight loss solution would be a good idea if you want to solve this problem. Shed the excess fat away!
Obesity Leads to Faster Aging of the Brain
Individual factors can also lead to faster or slower age-related talent changes. One of these factors that influences our brain structure is excess body weight. Obesity alters the normal aging process by speeding it up.
Research learn about carried out at the University of Cambridge concluded that overweight people have a less white matter in their brain in contrast to everyday weight individuals. The brain shape of 473 folks was once investigated in this study.
The results showed that the brain of overweight people seems to be up to ten years anatomically older in comparison with ordinary weight counterparts.
Another study carried out on 733 middle-aged individuals showed that obesity is strongly linked with the loss of brain mass. Scientists measured body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) of participants and used brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to find and pick out the symptoms of brain degeneration.
The results tested that brain degeneration is more vast in people with higher BMI, WC, WHR than in normal weight persons. The scientists theorized that this loss of brain tissue might also lead to dementia.
Obesity Changes the Way We Feel
Apart from structural changes, obesity can additionally change the way our brain works. Dopamine is one of the neurotransmitters which is involved in reward circuits and motivation.
One study concluded that the concentration of available dopamine receptors in the brain is in correlates with BMI.
Individuals with higher BMI have a lower concentration of available dopamine receptors that may lead to a lack of pleasure after eating normal dimension portions and the urge to eat more to feel satisfied.
This view was validated by another study which analyzed the responses of obese people to milkshakes during a period of time. Their responses were analyzed with the use of functional MRI.The measurements were repeated half a 12 months later and showed that intelligence response was a lot weaker in people who gained extra body weight between two measurements.
The researchers concluded that fat individuals feel much less satisfaction when eating in comparison to lean individuals, due to a lower concentration of dopamine receptors in the brain.
The research on the outcomes of obesity on brain functions are still in infancy but the findings described above are already alarming enough.
I think it's important to raise public awareness about this issue. The negative influence of obesity on general health is properly publicized, but hardly has anyone ever mentions how terrible the excess body weight can be for our cognitive functions.
This article originally appeared in http://brainblogger.com/2016/10/28/effect-of-obesity-on-human-brain/
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