According to a study published in the Neurology medical journal, there is an interesting connection between the size and shape of your brain and the width of your abdominal circumference.

The study’s findings suggest that individuals with more fat around their abdominal area tend to have smaller brains and less gray matter. Scientists at University College London and Loughborough University in the UK arrived at these findings by examining a wide range of data related to the genetics and health of individuals registered in the UK Biobank.

The researchers took into account factors such as age and physical activity that could influence the results, and analyzed approximately 1,000 individuals with an average age of 55. They found that individuals with a high body mass index (BMI) and high waist-to-hip ratio had an average gray matter volume of 786 cm³ in their brains, while healthy individuals had an average gray matter volume of 798 cm³. Interestingly, individuals with high BMI but lower waist-to-hip ratios had an average gray matter volume of 793 cm³.

On the other hand, obesity did not appear to affect the white matter of the brain. Dr. Mark Hamer, a member of the research team, noted that their findings showed an association between abdominal fat and reduced gray matter volume, although it remains unclear whether obesity causes structural changes in the brain or if such abnormalities are a result of obesity. He added that they also found some connections between brain shrinkage in specific areas and obesity.

The potential impact of reduced gray matter, associated with excessive fat in the body, on behavior and other health issues remains unclear. Interestingly, previous studies have suggested that obesity could actually help protect against dementia, while this study suggests that obesity may increase the risk of dementia and other brain-related health issues. Hamer emphasized that their research, which involved a large sample group, particularly highlighted the connection between abdominal fat and brain shrinkage.