Obese Men More Likely to Develop Memory Problems Early Compared to Obese Women, Study Suggests

london - A recent study by Imperial College in London suggests that men struggling with obesity may experience memory problems ten years earlier than obese women.

A team of scientists from the 'Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry' examined the belly and brain scans of 34,000 available British individuals aged between 45 and 82, who had high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes, both risk factors for dementia.

The scans revealed that higher levels of abdominal fat were associated with smaller brain volumes, indicating loss of brain cells and connections between cells. It is noted that individuals with dementia tend to have smaller brain volumes.

The study found that the link between abdominal fat and smaller brain volume was stronger in men than in women. In overweight men, brain volume and function started declining between the ages of 55 and 74, while overweight women were most susceptible to memory problems between the ages of 65 and 74, a decade later than men.

The exact reasons behind this phenomenon remain unclear. Scientists suspect that men may be less likely to seek medical help for cardiovascular issues, while hormones and differing ways in which men and women store fat could also contribute.

Main researcher Professor Paul Edison urges physicians to intervene early at the first signs of memory problems to help prevent dementia. He emphasizes the importance of adjusting one's diet and lifestyle to reduce the risk of heart problems and obesity, ultimately lowering the chances of developing dementia.