Obesity May Cause Men to Lose Memory A Decade Earlier than Women, Study Finds

Obesity may lead to memory loss and cognitive decline in men as much as a decade earlier than in women, according to research published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry.

The study analyzed data from 34,000 UK adults aged 45 to 82 in the UK Biobank, focusing on those with obesity, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes—common risk factors for dementia. Researchers found that overweight men began experiencing brain volume and function decline between the ages of 55 and 74, while for women, these changes occurred between 65 and 74.

Professor Paul Edison, the study's lead author from Imperial College London, explained, “Cardiovascular risks and obesity contribute to cognitive decline through inflammation and reduced blood supply to the brain.”

The research used brain scans to measure participants' brain volume and belly fat, revealing a strong association between higher belly fat and smaller brain volume, particularly in men. This neurodegeneration, characterized by the loss of neurons and connections, is a precursor to dementia.

Alzheimer's disease remains the leading cause of dementia, affecting millions worldwide. It is associated with anxiety, confusion, and memory loss. The study suggests that early interventions targeting obesity and cardiovascular health in men could mitigate the risk.

Edison emphasized the need for tailored treatments, proposing that weight-loss medications like Ozempic might be repurposed to combat Alzheimer’s.

With nearly a million people living with dementia in the UK and 6.7 million in the US, cases are expected to surge in coming decades. However, the NHS estimates that 40% of dementia cases could be prevented through lifestyle changes such as weight loss, exercise, and smoking cessation.

This groundbreaking study underscores the urgency of addressing obesity and cardiovascular health to slow the tide of neurodegenerative diseases globally.