Obesity may change how the brain is hardwired, impairing the blood-brain barrier and affecting memory and learning skills, indicates a study from American University in Washington, D.C. According to the data, the changes in the blood-brain barrier may encourage overconsumption of fatty foods and those full of refined sugar, resulting in what researchers call “a vicious cycle.”  And at some point, the damage can be permanent.

“What I think is happening is a vicious cycle of obesity and cognitive decline,” Terry Davidson, director of American University’s Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, said in a statement. “The idea is, you eat the high fat/high calorie diet and it causes you to overeat because this inhibitory system is progressively getting fouled up. And unfortunately, this inhibitory system is also for remembering things and suppressing other kinds of thought interference.”
Read more: http://www.voxxi.com/obesity-brain-learning-skills/#ixzz2EyRyU6qf

I can’t help but think of the line from Animal House about being fat, drunk and stupid.  I had no idea that obesity could actually result in cognitive decline.  This might be even more of a good reason to lose weight.  You will be healthier and STAY smart….and don’t add in drinking either!