Slashdot Mirror
French Scientists Link Higher BMI with Lower IQ
Xemu writes "French scientists have linked obesity to lower IQ reports the Telegraph. In a new five-year study of more than 2,200 adults, people with a low body mass index (BMI) could recall 30% more words in a vocabulary test than those who were obese. The fatter subjects also showed a higher rate of cognitive decline when they were retested five years later. In the United States, 30% of the population is obese according to OECD. That's the highest rate of obesity anywhere. Do these high obesity rates affect the average IQ of the population?" (Of course, this sidesteps discussion of whether IQ tests measure anything significant at all.)
... given that most Slashdotters are tremendous lardasses?
Nope, it looks like the obesity is causing it. From the story intro: "The fatter subjects also showed a higher rate of cognitive decline when they were retested five years later."
In fairness, the French will look for any opportunity to make fun of the British, including but not limited to calling them fat, stupid, or implying that their mothers were hamsters and their fathers smelt of elderberries.
Sounds like you might be a Jackass?
XML causes global warming.
This is such crap.
IQ has nothing to do with BMI whatsoever.
My IQ puts me in the top 0.001% of the population according to every IQ test I've ever taken, from various groups and organisations including MENSA, but according to these silly Frenchmen, I should be near the bottom because of my body insulation.
Why is the "muscleheads" stereotype that of a physically fit man with the IQ of a turnip?
Why is the "geek" stereotype that of a physically unfit man with a genius IQ?
Besides, if physical fitness is such an indicator of intelligence, then how do they explain the "fittest" US President ever, George W. Bush?
-- This sig for rent.