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 .
Exercise improves executive function and achievement and alters brain activation in overweight children: a randomized, controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE This experiment tested the hypothesis that exercise would improve executive function . DESIGN Sedentary , overweight 7- to 11-year-old children ( N = 171 , 56 % girls , 61 % Black , M ± SD age = 9.3 ± 1.0 years , body mass index [ BMI ] = 26 ± 4.6 kg/m² , BMI z-score = 2.1 ± 0.4 ) were r and omized to 13 ± 1.6 weeks of an exercise program ( 20 or 40 min/day ) , or a control condition . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Blinded , st and ardized psychological evaluations ( Cognitive Assessment System and Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Achievement III ) assessed cognition and academic achievement .  Functional MRI  measured brain activity during executive function tasks . RESULTS Intent to treat analysis revealed dose-response benefits of exercise  on executive function and mathematics achievement . Preliminary evidence of increased bilateral prefrontal cortex activity and reduced bilateral posterior parietal cortex activity attributable to exercise was also observed . CONCLUSION Consistent with results obtained in older adults , a specific improvement on executive function and brain activation changes attributable to exercise were observed . The cognitive and achievement results add evidence of dose-response and extend experimental evidence into childhood . This study provides information on an educational outcome . Besides its importance for maintaining weight and reducing health risks during a childhood obesity epidemic , physical activity may prove to be a simple , important method of enhancing aspects of children 's mental functioning that are central to cognitive development . This information may persuade educators to implement vigorous physical activity
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 .