Author’s Note: My report of the following findings should not lead anyone to believe that I think obese people are “stupid,” or that I am in any way “targeting” them.” I am not making an argument that thin people are smarter than overweight people. My mother is obese, and she is a brilliant and highly educated woman. However, I do think obesity is a health risk and believe in proper fitness and nutrition, though I am no “health nut.” I think the research that has been done over the past few years on obesity and the brain is very interesting, and I believe it’s something we should all take a closer look at, regardless of our size.
ADDITIONAL Author's Note: Yes, the sample sizes in these studies are small. No, correlation does not have to imply causation. Yes, there could be all sorts of other factors contributing to test results. I am posting some findings I find interesting. Pretty simple, pretty benign. Chill, people.
It has already been documented that obesity is linked with brain atrophy (PDF), though the findings have proven controversial. A review, for those who may not have read it, of a previous study from 2009: