Why fat people have a worse memory than thin people

Fat people have a worse memory than thin people, experts have found.

In a small study, tests showed being overweight was linked to worse “episodic memory” or the ability to recall past experiences.

Ann the research published in the Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology says a less vivid memory of recent meals may lead to overeating.

However, other aspects of memory like general knowledge were unaffected by weight.

Fifty people with a Body Mass Index ranging from 18 (healthy) to 51 (very obese) took part in a memory test where they had to “hide” objects at different times and on different scenes displayed on a computer screen.

They were later asked to recall what they had hidden, when and where. The results revealed obese people’s scores were 15% lower than thinner people.

Dr Lucy Cheke, of the University of Cambridge , said: “The suggestion we’re making is that a higher BMI is having some reduction on the vividness of memory, but they’re not drawing blanks and having amnesia.

“But if they have a less strong memory of a recent meal, with a less strong impact in the mind, then they may have less ability to regulate how much they eat later on.”

Hunger hormones play a huge role in how much we eat, but it is believed our minds play a role too.

People watching TV while they have their dinner have been shown to eat more or feel hungrier sooner. And those with amnesia will have repeated meals in a short period of time.

Two in three adults in the UK are overweight or obese.

Dr Cheke added: “It is too early to talk in terms of advice, but we are certainly beginning to observe the mechanisms that obesity perpetuates itself.

“Concentrating on your food has been a message for a long time, but that may be a bit harder if you’re overweight. Hopefully knowing what’s going on will help us to develop ways of helping people.”

Source:msn.com/en-gb/health/fitness/why-fat-people-have-a-worse-memory-than-thin-people/ar-BBq4OdM