Regional Gray Matter Volume Is Associated with Restrained Eating in Healthy Chinese Young Adults: Evidence from Voxel-Based Morphometry

Abstract

Highlight Participants were non-clinical young adults with different restrained eating levels.We assessed relations of restrained eating (RE) with regional gray matter volume (rGMV).High RE scores were related to larger GMV in specific areas related to reward.High RE scores were also linked to less GMV in regions related to response inhibition. Objective: Dieting is a popular method of weight control. However, few dieters are able to maintain initial weight losses over an extended period of time. Why do most restrained dieters fail to lose weight? Alterations in brain structures associated with restrained eating (RE) represent one potentially important mechanism that contributes to difficulties in maintaining weight loss within this group. To evaluate this contention, we investigated associations between intentional, sustained restriction of food intake to lose or maintain body weight, and regional gray matter volume (rGMV) within a large non-clinical young adult, sample.Methods: Participants (150 women, 108 men) completed measures of RE and demographics prior to undergoing an MRI scan. Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) evaluated strengths of association between RE scores and rGMV.Results: Higher RE levels corresponded to more rGMV in regions linked to risk of overeating and binge-eating including the left insula and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC). Conversely, RE had significant negative correlations with rGMV in the left and right posterior cingulum gyrus, regions linked to inhibitory control and potential risk for future weight gain.Conclusions: Together, findings suggested individual differences in RE among young adults correspond to GMV variability in regions linked to overweight and obesity risk.

Neuroanatomical correlates of food addiction symptoms and body mass index in the general population

“…More specific to overeating behaviors, reduced OFC gray matter volume and thickness have been related to less restrained eating (Su, Jackson, Wei, Qiu, & Chen, 2017) and unhealthy food choice (Cohen, Yates, Duong, & Convit, 2011), although one study reported larger OFC volume in binge-eating disorder patients compared to healthy controls (Schäfer, Vaitl, & Schienle, 2010). First evidence suggests that individual differences in OFC thickness partly mediate the genetic risk for obesity (Opel et al, 2017), possibly by provoking, or failing to inhibit, impulsive and compulsive (eating) behavior.…”

Neuroanatomical correlates of food addiction and obesity in the general population

“…Structural alterations in the OFC have been associated with impaired ability for goaldirected behavior (Reber et al, 2017) and impulsivity (Matsuo et al, 2009) and several studies reported diminished cortical thickness or GMV in the OFC of individuals with substance-related disorders (Durazzo et al, 2011;Ersche et al, 2012;Chye et al, 2017). More specific to overeating behaviors, reduced OFC gray matter volume and thickness have been related to less restrained eating (Su et al, 2017) and unhealthy food choice , although one study reported larger OFC volume in binge-eating disorder patients compared to healthy controls (Schäfer et al, 2010). Structural alterations in OFC thickness could provoke, or fail to inhibit, impulsive and compulsive eating behavior, which would be partially captured by the YFAS symptom score.…”