BMI is outdated—your waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is a better indicator of future brain health. A recent study in Nutrition, Obesity and Exercise found that individuals with healthier WHRs had better cognitive function in later life, while those with more abdominal fat faced a higher risk of memory loss and dementia.
Researchers tracked 664 British civil servants over 21 years, measuring their waist and hip sizes five times between their 50s and 60s. Brain scans in their 70s revealed that a higher WHR was linked to weaker white matter connectivity, meaning poorer communication between brain regions, especially the hippocampus, which controls memory and learning.
So what’s a healthy WHR? A healthy WHR is defined as 0.9 or less for men and 0.85 or less for women. A WHR above 1.0 in men and 0.85 in women is linked to higher health risks, including dementia, heart disease, and diabetes.
The study also found that diet matters—participants who ate more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats had stronger brain function.
While the study had some limitations, including a lack of gender diversity, experts stress that waist-to-hip ratio is a better predictor of long-term health than BMI.
The key takeaway? Maintaining a healthy WHR in midlife could mean a sharper mind as you age—so start prioritizing your waistline now!
