Recent research shows that high BMI negatively affects brain health, causing smaller brain volume and increased brain lesions, particularly in younger and older adults, underscoring the importance of managing BMI for better neurological outcomes. A recent study published in Health Data Science , a Science Partner Journal, highlights the substantial impact of high cumulative body mass index (BMI) on brain health. Conducted by Associate Professor Han Lv from Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, the research indicates that a high BMI correlates with reduced brain volume, increased white matter lesions, and compromised microstructural integrity.
The study analyzed data from a 16-year population-based cohort to investigate the effects of cumulative BMI on neuroimaging features in adults aged 25 to 83 years. Researchers discovered that high BMI was linked to smaller brain volume and larger volumes of white matter hyperintensity (WMH), particularly in adults younger than 45 years and those older than 60 years. High BMI is causally associated with smaller brain volume, larger volume of white matter lesions, and abnormal microstructural integrity.
Credit: Lv, Han; Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University “High cumulative BMI is detrimental to brain health, especially for younger adults under 45 years, where it corresponds to approximately 12 years of brain aging,” said Associate Professor Han Lv. “Maintaining a BMI below 26.2 kg/m2 is suggested.
