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 .
Weight status and gender-related differences in motor skills and in child care - based physical activity in young children
Background Over the last decades , a decline in motor skills and in physical activity and an increase in obesity has been observed in children . However , there is a lack of data in young children . We tested if differences in  motor skills and in physical activity  according to weight or gender were already present in 2- to 4-year-old children . Methods Fifty-eight child care centers in the French part of Switzerl and were r and omly selected for the Youp'là bouge study .  Motor skills were assessed by an obstacle course including 5 motor skills , derived from the Zurich Neuromotor Assessment test . Physical activity was measured with accelerometers ( GT1 M , Actigraph , Florida , USA ) using age-adapted cut-offs .  Weight status was assessed using the International Obesity Task Force criteria ( healthy weight vs overweight ) for body mass index ( BMI ) . Results Of the 529 children ( 49 % girls , 3.4 ± 0.6 years , BMI 16.2 ± 1.2 kg/m2 ) , 13 % were overweight . There were no significant weight status-related differences in the single skills of the obstacle course , but there was a trend ( p = 0.059 ) for a lower performance of overweight children in the overall motor skills score . No significant weight status-related  differences in child care-based physical activity  were observed . No gender-related differences were found in the overall motor skills score , but boys performed better than girls in 2 of the 5 motor skills ( p ≤ 0.04 ) . Total physical activity as well as time spent in moderate-vigorous and in vigorous activity during child care were 12 - 25 % higher and sedentary activity 5 % lower in boys compared to girls ( all p < 0.01 ) . Conclusions At this early age , there were no significant weight status- or gender-related differences in global motor skills . However , in accordance to data in older children , child care-based physical activity  was higher in boys compared to girls . These results are important to consider when establishing physical activity recommendations or targeting health promotion interventions in young children
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 .