Asian individuals with an excess amount of visceral fat may experience a poorer ability to think, learn, and remember, according to a study by scientists at the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine) at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. The researchers analyzed the health data of nearly 9,000 multi-ethnic Singaporeans and permanent residents from the Health for Life in Singapore (HELIOS) study conducted between 2018 and 2021. The study found a correlation between an increase in the type of fat wrapped around internal organs and poorer cognitive performance in memory, executive function, processing speed, and attention. Additionally, scientists found a link between high body mass index (BMI) and BMI-adjusted waist-to-hip ratio with lower cognitive performance. These findings, published in The Lancet Regional Health, suggest that preventing obesity could maintain cognitive function and protect individuals against the future risk of dementia. The study supports one of the goals outlined in NTU 2025, the University’s five-year strategic plan to address healthy living and aging.
