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 .
Delay of gratification in obese children.
Obese ( n = 20 ) and normal weight ( n = 20 ) children ( 8 - 11 years ) were compared using the delay of gratification paradigm . All children were asked to choose between an immediate reward or a larger delayed ( one day ) reward . Half the children were offered an edible incentive and half a non-edible incentive . Results showed that the obese choose immediate rewards more often than normals only when the incentive was edible . This suggests that deficits in delay of gratification shown by obese children are not generalized dispositions but are specific to food . A second aspect of the study examined preference for food vs non-food items and activities . Normals showed a much stronger preference for non-food items , nutritious foods and non-food related activities than the obese . This suggests that the deficits in delay of gratification shown by the obese children for food related items may be due to the stronger incentive value of these items for them
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 .