Mental Acumen Linked to Body Shape

A new study has determined that memory loss among overweight, older women seems to be linked to body shape.

The study was conducted by a team of researchers led by Diana R. Kerwin, assistant professor and physician at Northwestern Medicine at Northwestern University.  The team discovered that women who are pear shaped, with a higher accumulation of fat around the hips, experienced more cognitive difficulties than those who are apple shaped.

Study Details

For the research, data was collected from the Women’s Health Initiative hormone trials; 8,745 postmenopausal women from 65-79 were asked specific health and lifestyle questions.  They then allowed researchers to measure height, weight, blood pressure and body circumference to determine BMI, according to WebMD.

For every 1 point increase in BMI, memory acuity conversely dropped by one point on a 100 point memory test.  Per a news release, Dr. Kerwin asserted that this discovery could very well shape the way doctors treat their overweight and obese patients henceforth.

Losing Weight as we Age

One way to help mitigate some of the disadvantages of higher adiposity is to simply move more; here is a rundown of recent research results regarding aging and physical activity, according to the American Geriatrics Society website:

*Regular physical activity “substantially” reduces risks of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity and hypertension; therefore, engaging in daily physical activity is “prudent.”

*Physical activity increases life expectancy through its influence on chronic disease risk and helps mitigate some of the biological, age related difficulties we experience as we grow older

*Regular physical activity helps sedentary older adults restore functional capacity by increasing aerobic and muscle strength.

*More good news:  even if an older adult already is obese, has type 2 diabetes, or has been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease, regular physical activity can help them “manage” these conditions more effectively.

*Regular physical activity also helps state of mind by alliviating depression and improving self esteem.

The bottom line?  Physical activity is a “magic pill” when it comes to improving most quality of life issues.