Obesity is a burden on the body—it also reshapes the brain. While its physical toll is well-known, mounting research shows that excess body fat changes the brain, affecting how we think, feel, and understand.
The connection is made worse because calorie-rich, highly tasty foods can hijack our brain’s reward system, making them almost impossible to resist.
A Vicious Cycle
The relationship between obesity and the brain goes beyond physical changes and is fueled by a continuous, self-reinforcing loop, in which obesity stems from certain behaviors while also reinforcing and perpetuating them.
Jennifer Sweenie
Author
Jennifer Sweenie is a New York-based health reporter. She is a nutritional therapy practitioner and trained health-supportive chef focused on functional nutrition and the power of natural, whole foods. Jennifer serves on the board of directors for Slow Food NYC and is a former board member of the Farm-to-Consumer Foundation.
