Cognitive dysfunction is a risk factor for overeating and obesity.

Abstract

This article introduces the rapidly growing literature linking cognitive dysfunction to overeating and obesity. Though neural responses to food and food cues can predispose individuals to overeating, these processes are moderated by a series of cognitive factors. Deficits in attentional bias, delay discounting, and episodic memory have clear connections to overeating in both laboratory and real-world settings. New weight loss interventions target these deficits through strategies designed to either directly improve cognitive function or circumvent them by tailoring weight management strategies to individuals’ specific cognitive profile. Future iterations of these interventions should better account for the influence of obesity-related risk factors such as poor sleep, high stress, socioeconomic burden, and prevalent medical risk factors. In so doing, future work may lead to treatment strategies that promote healthy eating and weight for a lifetime.

High prevalence of neurodevelopmental problems in adolescents eligible for bariatric surgery for severe obesity

“…Problems related to attention and self-regulation that affect the patient's capacity to plan, set agreements and delay gratification can create barriers in all forms of obesity treatment. 31 In line with other studies, we found elevated levels of binge eating and depressive symptoms in this group of adolescents with severe obesity. However, contrary to our hypothesis, we did not find more such problems in those rated positive for ADHD or ASD by their parents.…”

“…Such problems can put strain on the family and negatively affect cooperation between parents and the adolescent, including in regard to weight‐related issues. Problems related to attention and self‐regulation that affect the patient's capacity to plan, set agreements and delay gratification can create barriers in all forms of obesity treatment 31 …”

Increased Association With Malnutrition and Malnourishment in Older Adults Admitted With Hip Fractures Who Have Cognitive Impairment and Delirium, as Assessed by 4AT

“…15 There are a number of other factors in play; for example, older people with cognitive impairment may have difficulties in expressing their wishes and needs for eating, leading to weight loss, 33 or such a group of individuals may inadvertently overeat, leading to obesity. 34 Overall, evidence from existing studies 5,22 indicates that attention should be directed to patients with high 4AT scores to identify reversible underlying causes of delirium and other adverse outcomes, with a focus on early and appropriate nutrition support. Prospective studies have shown that oral nutritional supplements help reduce both the length of stay in the hospital by 2.3 days and early hospital readmission by 2.3%.…”

Brain multimodal co-alterations related to delay discounting: a multimodal MRI fusion analysis in persons with and without cocaine use disorder

“…This exaggerated preference for smaller, immediate rewards over larger, delayed rewards has been linked to all stages of drug addiction from initiation of use to addiction severity and treatment outcome [ 17 – 19 ]. Steeper discounting is also predictive of other maladaptive behaviors, such as gambling, risky sex, and overeating [ 20 – 22 ], suggesting that it may represent a trans-disease process [ 23 ]. Multiple brain regions across several large-scale neural networks are implicated in delay discounting, likely involving recursive interactions across networks [ 24 , 25 ].…”