Higher waist-to-hip ratio linked to worse brain health

Research indicates that having a larger waist compared to hips in middle age can be linked to poorer brain health later in life. The study involved around 1,200 participants over several decades. Doctors from Britain, Germany, France, and the Netherlands analyzed health data and found that maintaining a low waist-to-hip ratio is important. This measure helps indicate a person’s overall health and is linked to better cognitive function in older age. Participants with a larger belly in their forties were more likely to experience memory and thinking difficulties in their seventies. The study suggests that people with a healthier diet and a lower waist-to-hip ratio may also have better connections in the brain, which are vital for learning and memory. The findings emphasize the importance of healthy eating and managing body fat distribution during middle age to support better brain health as we age.