People who carry extra weight around their middle are at increased risk of developing dementia.
A study showed that being overweight is linked to smaller brain volume, a condition that is associated with dementia. The link was particularly strong in those with high levels of visceral fat -- fatty tissue around the organs.
According to BBC News:
“[Researchers] measured body mass index, waist circumference and used scans to look at the amount of abdominal fat. The results showed that as BMI increased, brain volume decreased ... But ... the link between visceral fat around the central organs and smaller brain volume was independent of overall weight.”