Stable Weight Tied to Cognitive Function as You Age Menu Verywell Fit Nutrition Weight Management Nutrition Facts Nutrition Basics Diets Meal Plans Meal Delivery Services View All News Fitness and Nutrition What to Buy How We Test Products Fitness Gear Nutrition Products Tools Recipe Nutrition Calculator Weight Loss Calorie Goal BMI Calculator Body Fat Percentage Calculator Calories Burned by Activity Daily Calories Burned Pace Calculator About Us Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Search NEWS Fitness and Nutrition News Stable Weight Tied to Cognitive Function as You Age, Research Says By Elizabeth Millard Elizabeth Millard Elizabeth Millard is a freelance journalist specializing in health, wellness, fitness, and nutrition. Learn about our editorial process Published on February 22, 2022 Fact checked Verywell Fit content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Rich Scherr Fact checked by Rich Scherr Rich Scherr is a seasoned journalist who has covered technology, finance, sports, and lifestyle. Learn about our editorial process Print Marko Geber / Getty Images Key Takeaways Researchers found that maintaining stability in body mass index (BMI) is associated with better cognitive health in older adults.The findings do not necessarily mean that being thinner is better—the finding applied to people in any BMI category.Part of the reason that weight stability matters is that it may control other health markers like blood pressure and cholesterol. As we age, cognitive health becomes increasingly important. But could weight management be a factor in achieving this goal? A recent study in Alzheimer's & Dementia found that the ability to maintain a stable weight may be a significant factor for brain health as you get older. "Stability in BMI over time seemed to be protective, with a slower rate of cognitive decline, and that was true both in global cognition as well as specific cognitive functions," says lead author Michal Schnaider Beeri, PhD, from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. About the Study Researchers looked at nearly 16,000 older adults who underwent dementia screening over a five-year period and found those with significant changes in BMI—representing a 5% increase or decrease—had a greater likelihood of cognitive decline. Michal Schnaider Beeri, PhD There is clinical value in tracking BMI change, especially as we age, since it's simple to measure. — Michal Schnaider Beeri, PhD This was true regardless of BMI status at the start, including normal weight or underweight categories. One reason that stable BMI may be protective is that the body is likely more able to maintain equilibrium with other important health markers like blood pressure and cholesterol, Dr. Beeri says. "Previous research also indicates that BMI stability is associated with less frailty, disability, and early mortality," she adds. "So there is clinical value in tracking BMI change, especially as we age, since it's simple to measure." The Link Between Grip Strength and Longer Life Mixed Evidence Whether excess weight is harmful or helpful for brain health during aging is actually still up for debate, though. Dr. Beeri says she and other researchers have shown greater cognitive impairment and dementia with greater BMI in elderly participants in previous studies. For example, one study noted that waist circumference is correlated with poorer cognition in older women with Type 2 diabetes. Another study following more than 450,000 people with obesity during a 12-year period beginning at midlife found an association between obesity and dementia for some age groups, but the risk diminished as people got older. In that research, people over age 80 with obesity actually had less risk of dementia than those in a non-obese control group. "We and others showed more cognitive impairment and dementia with greater BMI in old age, but some have found no associations or even lower dementia risk in obese older adults," says Dr. Beeri. "In addition, losing weight has also been associated with higher dementia risk." Elevated Heart Rate Linked to Dementia Risk, Study Says Movement Over Weight Loss Given the recent study results, it is possible that rather than focusing on significant weight changes for better cognitive health and longer life, the emphasis as we age should lean more toward improving fitness and mobility. This may be true even with obesity. That was the conclusion of a 2021 research review in the journal iScience, which looked at studies examining mortality risk reduction associated with weight loss, compared to physical activity. This review found the risk was lower with physical activity, according to study co-author Glenn Gaesser, PhD, in the college of health solutions at Arizona State University. In fact, Dr. Gaesser suggests that people may benefit from a weight-neutral approach that focuses on fitness for health, rather than weight loss or weight management. When someone becomes more physically active, body weight may decrease, but in many cases does not change, he says. That can be frustrating for those who make weight loss into a primary goal. Glenn Gaesser, PhD [A weight-neutral approach] eliminates weight loss from the equation when it comes to improving health. — Glenn Gaesser, PhD “[A weight-neutral approach] eliminates weight loss from the equation when it comes to improving health,” he says. Focusing on other aims like better mobility, improved function, and weight stability could help maintain motivation. Another important factor, he adds, is that it does not take much to see improvements in areas like blood sugar control and blood pressure. “We have data showing that just 2 minutes of moderate-to-brisk walking every hour can improve blood sugar, for example,” he said. Even just reducing the duration of sitting each day brings benefits. But Dr. Gaesser says a better option is making more moderate-to-vigorous-intensity exercise into a regular habit. Midlife Exercise May Lower Chronic Disease Risk, Study Says What This Means For You When it comes to maintaining brain health, weight fluctuations may cause faster cognitive decline as you age, a new study suggests. Focusing on weight stability, and emphasizing movement instead, could yield greater benefits than weight loss. If you are interested in developing a new exercise regimen, be sure to talk to a healthcare provider first to determine which activities are best for you. Short Run May Improve Brain Function, Study Says 4 Sources Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Beeri MS, Tirosh A, Lin H, et al. Stability in BMI over time is associated with a better cognitive trajectory in older adults. Alzheimer’s & Dementia. Published online January 20, 2022:alz.12525. doi:10.1002/alz.12525 West RK, Ravona-Springer R, Heymann A, et al. Waist circumference is correlated with poorer cognition in elderly type 2 diabetes women. Alzheimers Dement. 2016;12(8):925-929. doi:10.1016/j.jalz.2016.03.017 Wotton CJ, Goldacre MJ. Age at obesity and association with subsequent dementia: Record linkage study. Postgrad Med J. 2014;90(1068):547-551. doi:10.1136/postgradmedj-2014-132571 Gaesser GA, Angadi SS. Obesity treatment: Weight loss versus increasing fitness and physical activity for reducing health risks. iScience. 2021;24(10):102995. doi:10.1016/j.isci.2021.102995 By Elizabeth Millard Elizabeth Millard is a freelance journalist specializing in health, wellness, fitness, and nutrition. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit Related Articles To Curb Obesity Risks, Researchers Call for Fitness Over Weight Loss Food Freedom: What It Is and Why It Matters What Is Health at Every Size and Why Is It Important? MIND Diet is Associated with Better Cognitive Function, Study Shows What Is the Average Weight for Men? 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