In the article, Obestiy impairs brain performance, explains that people who are obese have less capacity to remember things, think and reason. Some of these features can be overcome by losing weight. There have also been studies that show that individuals with diseases due to being obese score less on cognitive tests. Scientists decided to test whether just being overweight and healthy might be partially responsible for testing low on cognitive tests. The tests proved that those who lost weight performed better than those who did not. Another study showed by using brain imaging that obese people have white matter damage.
It was an example of hypothesis based science because the scientists formed a hypothesis and then experimented to see if they were right.
The research is important for humans because it makes obese people aware that losing weight benefits their health but also their intelligence.
Author: Janet Raloff
Title of Article: Obesity impairs brain performance
Journal: Science News
Date published: 8/26/11
Page: 8
1 comment:
This study seems a bit stereotypical and faulty. In order to PROVE that "obese people are less smart" one would have to conduct studies AALLLL over the world, with millions of people. An obvious pattern would have to be evident. And yes, it makes sense. Better health probably does guarantee a better way of life, but it doesn't make you necessarily "brain unhealthy"!
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