Journal article
The relationship between obesity and cognitive health and decline
Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, v 76(4), pp 443-454
01 Nov 2017
PMID: 28889822
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
The relationship between obesity and cognitive impairment is important given the globally ageing population in whom cognitive decline and neurodegenerative disorders will carry grave individual, societal and financial burdens. This review examines the evidence for the link between obesity and cognitive function in terms of both the immediate effects on cognitive performance, and effects on the trajectory of cognitive ageing and likelihood of dementia. In mid-life, there is a strong association between obesity and impaired cognitive function. Anthropometric measures of obesity are also associated with reduced neural integrity (e.g. grey and white matter atrophy). Increasing age coupled with the negative metabolic consequences of obesity (e.g. type 2 diabetes mellitus) are likely to significantly contribute to cognitive decline and incidence of dementia. Stress is identified as a potential risk factor promoting abdominal obesity and contributing to impaired cognitive function. However, the potentially protective effects of obesity against cognitive decline in older age require further examination. Finally, surgical and whole diet interventions, which address obesity may improve cognitive capacity and confer some protection against later cognitive decline. In conclusion, obesity and its comorbidities are associated with impaired cognitive performance, accelerated cognitive decline and neurodegenerative pathologies such as dementia in later life. Interventions targeting mid-life obesity may prove beneficial in reducing the cognitive risks associated with obesity.
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Details
- Title
- The relationship between obesity and cognitive health and decline
- Creators
- Louise Dye - University of LeedsNeil Bernard Boyle - University of LeedsClaire Champ - University of LeedsClare Lawton - University of Leeds
- Publication Details
- Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, v 76(4), pp 443-454
- Publisher
- Cambridge Univ Press
- Number of pages
- 12
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Radiation Oncology (and Nuclear Medicine)
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000416120300004
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85045990073
- Other Identifier
- 991021897290104721
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Highly Cited Paper
- Web of Science research areas
- Nutrition & Dietetics