A study of two million people found that the underweight were far more likely to develop dementia, a growing problem among the elderly in the Western world.
Underweight people had a 34 percent higher risk of developing dementia than those of a normal weight, the study found, while the very obese had a 29 percent lower risk of becoming forgetful and confused and showing other signs of senility.
Obesity levels, like dementia levels, are soaring worldwide.
Researchers said that if other studies confirm the findings, the next step would be to examine if people who eat more unknowingly take in dementia-fighting nutrients in the extra food they consume.
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