Improvement of memory through weight loss

Excess weight is an important problem now days because people eat food with extra calories, our children prefer watching T.V, playing video games and spending time on computer rather than playing outdoor games etc.Excess weight can also cause decline in the cognitive abilities of an individual.

A research of Kent State University published in the Journal of Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases says that weight loss is not only beneficial for health but it also sharpens the memory of an individual.

John Gunstad, an Assistant Professor of Psychology who is also a lead author of the study says that weight loss can improve the attentiveness and the cognitive abilities. Obesity can also cause diseases like Alzheimer, Stroke, Memory Problems and Concentration Problems etc.

Gunstad worked on the fact that if excess weight causes these problems, can losing weight help to prevent the problems.

The researchers did an analysis in which they analyzed memory of 150 overweight people having weight of 300 pounds. Every member was given mental tasks for testing the abilities and attention of individuals. Some individuals went for Gastric Bypass Surgery for weight loss and some did not. After 12 weeks the mental skills were tested again.

After the weight loss surgery, 23.9% of participants showed good learning and 22.9% showed poor memory. 12 weeks after the surgery the participants who underwent surgery shows improvement in the cognitive skills as compare to those participants who do not went for Gastric Bypass Surgery, no improvements were seen in their cognitive skills rather decline in their cognitive skills was seen.

Gunstad says that it was interesting to see the motivation of those patients who lose weight in a short time and revealed a positive effect from weight loss which was great.

Gunstad says that the result of this study give rise to many other questions regarding obesity and Brain damage that needs an attention. He further says that if we come to know about the causes of memory problems and surgery to make memory better then we can understand the link between obesity and Alzheimer’s disease, Stroke etc.

Gunsatd and other researchers are now planning to study the lose weight by eating less and healthier food to get more active. The researcher wants to know that the diet and exercise also give similar positive effects on Brain or not.

Tags: cognitive skills, Excess weight, Weight Loss, weight-loss surgery

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