Fat people 'have less brain power than thinner counterparts', study finds

Researchers said a person's weight could affect their brain function to make poor lifestyle choices 

Fat people are less intelligent than those with a healthier weight, according to a controversial study by US scientists.

Their research suggests overweight people have less grey and white matter in key areas of the brain, causing altered reward processing, which apparently makes them less able to control their diet choices.

Conclusions were drawn after researchers measured body mass index and body fat percentages and compared with differences in brain structure and function.

Brain scans from 32 adults, 16 men and 16 women, from Baltimore in Maryland were analysed as part of the study.

Anyone with a history of brain damage, substance abuse and mental illness was excluded.

The theory is likely to be fiercely contested by weight loss campaigners who say weight struggles are dependent on each individual.

The study was published in the science journal Frontiers in Neuroscience.