Although elevated body mass index (BMI) has long been linked to poorer cognitive performance, evidence regarding the long-term impact of cumulative average BMI (caBMI) on cognitive health remains limited. To explore this association, researchers analyzed data from 8,252 cognitively healthy participants with a mean age of 59 years, using records collected between 1996 and 2020. The findings showed that higher caBMI was significantly associated with a faster decline in global cognition, executive function, and memory.
The association appeared to be strongest around the eighth year of follow-up. Age-stratified analysis further revealed that the relationship between caBMI and cognitive decline was more pronounced among adults aged 65 years and older compared to those aged 50 to 65 years. Overall, the study suggests that persistently elevated BMI over time may contribute to accelerated…
