Obesity & Dementia

Are there studies verifying that obesity is more dangerous to the female brain?

 Yes, there are. Studies have shown that being overweight or obese may be even more dangerous to the female brain. Women who are obese throughout life are more likely to lose brain tissue—linked to cognitive decline in the temporal lobe, involved with language, memory, and hearing. As their BMI (Body Mass Index) increased, their risk of brain atrophy (shrinkage) also increased from 13 to 16 percent. Adult obese women showed increased risk of brain atrophy (shrinkage), which increases their risk for brain damage. A higher BMI was associated with shrinkage in every region of the cortex. The higher a woman’s weight and BMI, the worse off she was in terms of brain function. Both males and females with high levels of belly fall risk changes in testosterone. Aromatase, an enzyme in fat cells, converts testosterone to a type of estrogen—which puts the testosterone-estrogen ratio out of balance.