331. Higher weight in childhood is associated with poor brain health
Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career.
Obesity might harm the brain health of children and adolescents. According to a new study presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America, researchers collected and analyzed data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study, including over 5,000 children 9 to 10 years old. They measured each child’s body mass index – or weight adjusted for age, sex, and height. They used MRIs to identify changes in the children’s brains. The researchers found that higher weight in childhood is associated with poor brain health. Among obese children, they observed significant impairment to the integrity of the brain’s white matter, especially in parts of the brain associated with control, motivation, and reward-based decision-making.
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
