Overall , we found data that support a negative relationship between obesity and various aspects of neurocognitive functioning , such as executive functioning , attention , visuo-spatial performance , and motor skill .
The existing literature is mixed on the effects among obesity , general cognitive functioning , language , learning , memory , and academic achievement .
Executive dysfunction is associated with obesity-related behaviors , such as increased intake , disinhibited eating , and less physical activity .
Physical activity is positively linked with motor skill .
Childhood obesity rates have risen dramatically over the past few decades .
Although obesity has been linked to poorer neurocognitive functioning in adults , much less is known about this relationship in children and adolescents .
Therefore , we conducted a systematic review to examine the relationship between obesity and obesity-related behaviors with neurocognitive functioning in youth .
Ability to delay gratification at age 4 years and risk of overweight at age 11 years.
OBJECTIVES To determine if limited ability to delay gratification ( ATDG ) at age 4 years is independently associated with an increased risk of being overweight at age 11 years and to assess confounding or moderation by child body mass index z score at 4 years , self-reported maternal expectation of child ATDG for food , and maternal weight status . DESIGN Longitudinal prospect i ve study . SETTING Ten US sites . PARTICIPANTS Participants in the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development . Main Exposure Ability to delay gratification at 4 years , measured as pass or fail on a vali date d task . OUTCOME MEASURES Overweight at 11 years , defined as a body mass index greater than or equal to the 85th percentile based on measured weight and height . RESULTS Of 805 children , 47 % failed the ATDG task . Using multiple logistic regression , children who failed the ATDG task were more likely to be overweight at 11 years ( relative risk , 1.29 ; 95 % confidence interval , 1.06 - 1.58 ) , independent of income to needs ratio . Body mass index z score at 4 years and maternal expectation of child ATDG for food did not alter the association , but maternal weight status reduced the association significantly . CONCLUSIONS Children with limited ATDG at age 4 years were more likely to be overweight at age 11 years , but the association was at least partially explained by maternal weight status . Further underst and ing of the association between the child 's ATDG and maternal and child weight status may lead to more effective obesity intervention and prevention programs
Overall , we found data that support a negative relationship between obesity and various aspects of neurocognitive functioning , such as executive functioning , attention , visuo-spatial performance , and motor skill .
The existing literature is mixed on the effects among obesity , general cognitive functioning , language , learning , memory , and academic achievement .
Executive dysfunction is associated with obesity-related behaviors , such as increased intake , disinhibited eating , and less physical activity .
Physical activity is positively linked with motor skill .
Childhood obesity rates have risen dramatically over the past few decades .
Although obesity has been linked to poorer neurocognitive functioning in adults , much less is known about this relationship in children and adolescents .
Therefore , we conducted a systematic review to examine the relationship between obesity and obesity-related behaviors with neurocognitive functioning in youth .