A new study found that obese participants had lower brain mass than those who were not overweight, prompting researchers to conclude that obesity may be linked to the decreases in brain mass.

A team of UCLA neurologists studied the neural apparata of 94 individuals in their 70s, finding that on average, those with a BMI of 30 or more had 8 percent less brain mass than those with a healthy BMI.
Those with a BMI around 25 had 4 percent less brain mass.
Cognitive tests revealed little difference between those with reduced brain mass and those with unaffected brains. Even so, doctors worry that their excess weight can still cause harm to their cognitive function in the future.

The tests involved in the study revealed that the brains of the obese participants showed shrinkage in their frontal temporal lobes, the anterior gyrus cingulate, and hippocampus, which control judgment, attention and long-term memories respectively.

Some doctors worry that the combination of obesity and decreased brain mass primes patients for potentially devastating strokes and leaves them less able to cope with the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.

Reducing weight can decrease these risks, and it can be accomplished through a combination of a low-fat, well-balanced diet and moderate exercise. Supplements such as Psyllium can help reduce food cravings.