Association between overnutrition and cognitive function in women with fibromyalgia

Background Obesity is recognized as a pathological condition characterized by excess body fat, which is strongly linked to impaired brain function, especially reduced attention span. Fibromyalgia, a chronic rheumatic disorder, is marked by musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and tender points. Although its exact cause remains unclear, physical and emotional factors are known to trigger symptoms, including cognitive issues like "fibro fog," which affect concentration. When both obesity and fibromyalgia coexist, they worsen rheumatic symptoms and may contribute to cognitive decline. This study aimed to evaluate the association between cognitive function, body composition, and anthropometric indices in women with fibromyalgia. Results Cross-sectional, correlational pilot study in 18 women with fibromyalgia. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, body composition, cognitive function, and variables related to mental health were examined. Body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, and waist-to-height ratio were calculated. Spearman test was used to evaluate the correlation between body composition variables and cognitive function. The mean age was 44.4 ± 10.7 years. 83.3% were overweight, 35.3% had a high percentage of fat, and 61.1% had a high cardiovascular risk. Regarding cognitive function, 72.2% presented probable cognitive impairment, with positive correlation with body weight ( P =  0.026) and fat mass ( P =  0.027). Conclusion Women diagnosed with fibromyalgia face significant cognitive impairment, as well as elevated levels of stress, anxiety, and depression associated with a state of excess malnutrition. Further research is suggested to validate and extend these findings and explore specific therapeutic interventions based on individualized care.