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 .
Effects of a multicomponent behavioral intervention on impulsivity and cognitive deficits in adolescents with excess weight
The aim of this study was to explore the effects of a multidisciplinary behavioral intervention including cognitive behavioral therapy , structured physical activity , and dietary counseling on impulsive personality and cognitive skills and subsequent BMI loss in excess weight adolescents . Forty-two adolescents with excess weight ( 14 males and 28 females , range 12–17 years ) , as defined by the International Obesity Task Force Criteria , participated in our study . We used a longitudinal observational design with two assessment s : before and after treatment . We collected baseline measures of impulsive personality ( UPPS-P scale ) , cognitive performance ( letter number sequencing , Stroop and Iowa gambling task ) , and biometric parameters . After 12 weeks of intervention , parallel measures were used to determine whether treatment-induced changes in impulsivity and cognition predicted changes in BMI . BMI showed a statistically significant reduction after treatment [ from mean ( SD ) 29.36 ( 4.51 ) to 27.31 ( 4.41 ) , Cohen ’s d=0.5 ] . Greater reductions in negative urgency ( negative-emotion-driven impulsivity ) and greater improvement in cognitive inhibitory control skills were associated with greater reductions in BMI . Because the design was correlational and lacked a control group , future studies should clarify whether these associations reflect a causal effect or just overlapping improvements associated with a third variable ( e.g. increases in attention procurement or motivation )
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 .