Childhood Obesity and Cognitive Function

Eichen, Dawn M.; Appleton-Knapp, Sara L.; Boutelle, Kerri N.

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-68192-4_31

Cited by 5 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 73 publications

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“…During adolescence, the brain undergoes extensive remodelling especially in regions associated with higher cognitive functions such as the prefrontal cortex, which means it is sensitive to environmental influences at this point. Hence, future interventions could target adolescent populations at high risk of obesity to examine whether training could prevent weight gain [83], especially as young people may be more vulnerable to effects of diet and obesity on the brain [84].…”

Section: Effects Of Cognitive Training On Food Intake and Body Weightmentioning

confidence: 99%

Is there a role for higher cognitive processes in the development of obesity in humans?

Higgs

2023

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

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Cognition underpins the flexibility of human eating and disruption to higher cognitive processes, such as inhibitory control and memory, and can result in increased food intake, which in the long term could result in weight gain. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the current evidence on cognition as a causal factor in the development of obesity in humans. Evidence from meta-analyses supports the suggestion that cognitive function is cross-sectionally associated with obesity even when controlling for a range of confounding variables. However, this association could be explained by reverse causality because there is also evidence that the metabolic syndrome and a history of excess western diet consumption alters brain structure and cognitive function. Data from longitudinal and interventional studies and from non-human animal models suggest a reciprocal relationship between obesity and cognitive function exists but whether disruption to higher cognitive processes is a primary cause of obesity in humans remains unclear. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Causes of obesity: theories, conjectures and evidence (Part I)’.

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Section: Effects Of Cognitive Training On Food Intake and Body Weightmentioning

confidence: 99%

Is there a role for higher cognitive processes in the development of obesity in humans?

Higgs

2023

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

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“…Research has consistently reported how obesity contributes to health and educational disparities and its association with poorer academic performance in childhood, especially in children with a disadvantaged and low socioeconomic status ( Winter and Sass, 2011 ). The evidence suggests that obesity may have detrimental effects on development trajectory and related indicators such as fundamental motor skills (FMS) and cognitive functioning, especially during early childhood ( Khalaj and Amri, 2013 ; Chang and Gu, 2018 ; Eichen et al, 2018 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Overweight/obesity and socio-demographic disparities in children’s motor and cognitive function

et al. 2023

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Fundamental motor skills (FMS) and cognitive function are important indicators of development in early childhood. Using a cross-sectional design, the purpose of this study was to investigate obesity (healthy weight vs. overweight/obese) and socio-demographic (i.e., gender, SES) disparities in FMS (locomotor and ball skills) and cognitive function (reaction time [RT] and movement time [MT]), in preschoolers. There were 74 preschoolers (girl = 38; Mage = 4.02 ± 0.73) recruited from two childcare centers and were categorized into healthy weight (n = 58, BMI percentile < 85%) and overweight/obese (n = 16, BMI percentile ≥ 85%) categories. Children’s FMS were assessed using the TGMD-3; cognitive function was assessed by the iPad-based CANTAB™ software using the Reaction Time Task (RTI), including reaction time (RT; Simple RT [SRT], choice RT [CRT]) and movement time (MT; simple MT [SMT], choice MT [CMT]). Children presented less FMS proficiency compared to recent data. Both weight groups performed comparably in FMS (ps > 0.05; ball skill Cohen’s d = 0.40; locomotor Cohen’s d = 0.02). Children in the overweight/obese group performed significantly worse on all cognitive tests compared to healthy weight peers (ps < 0.05; Cohen’s d range from −0.93 to −1.43). No significant gender or SES disparities were observed. Maintaining healthy weight status is critical for cognitive development among preschoolers, which may influence their developmental trajectory and school readiness.

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“…Studies demonstrated subtle neurocognitive and pathological brain changes in children with TID [12]. Children with obesity and those with T1D are found to exhibit intelligence quotient (IQ) scores that are within normal range but significantly lower than healthy controls [13][14][15]. However, data about the cognitive and scholastic achievement in children with obesity are controversial [16,17].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Metabolism and memory: α-synuclein level in children with obesity and children with type 1 diabetes; relation to glucotoxicity, lipotoxicity and executive functions

et al. 2022

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Background/Objectives Children with obesity and those with type 1diabetes (T1D) exhibit subtle neurocognitive deficits, the mechanism of which remains unknown. α-synuclein plays a fundamental role in neurodegeneration. Moreover, its role in glucose and lipids metabolism is emerging. This study aims to assess whether α-synuclein is correlated with the degree of neurodegeneration in children with obesity and those with T1D in comparison to healthy controls and correlate it to various neurocognitive and metabolic parameters. Subjects/Methods Forty children with obesity, 40 children with T1D and 40 matched-healthy controls were assessed for anthropometric measurements and blood-pressure. Cognitive evaluation was performed using Stanford–Binet scale and Barkley Deficits in Executive Functioning (EF) Scale-Children and Adolescents. α-synuclein, fasting lipids and glucose were measured with calculation of the homeostatic model of insulin-resistance and estimated-glucose disposal rate. Results Children with obesity and those with T1D had significantly higher α-synuclein (p < 0.001) and total EF percentile (p = 0.001) than controls. α-synuclein was negatively correlated to total IQ (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001), and positively correlated with total EF percentile (p = 0.009 and p = 0.001) and EF symptom count percentile (p = 0.005 and p < 0.001) in children with T1D and obesity, respectively. Multivariate-regression revealed that α-synuclein was independently related to age (p = 0.028), diabetes-duration (p = 0.006), HbA1C% (p = 0.034), total IQ (p = 0.013) and EF symptom count percentile (p = 0.003) among children with T1D, and to diastolic blood-pressure percentile (p = 0.013), waist/hip ratio SDS (p = 0.007), total EF percentile (P = 0.033) and EF symptom count percentile (p < 0.001) in children with obesity. Conclusion α-synuclein could have a mechanistic role in neurocognitive deficit among children with obesity and T1D.

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Childhood Obesity and Cognitive Function

Cited by 5 publications

References 73 publications

Is there a role for higher cognitive processes in the development of obesity in humans?

Is there a role for higher cognitive processes in the development of obesity in humans?

Overweight/obesity and socio-demographic disparities in children’s motor and cognitive function

Metabolism and memory: α-synuclein level in children with obesity and children with type 1 diabetes; relation to glucotoxicity, lipotoxicity and executive functions

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