Adiposity, stress, and habitual physical activity predict executive function and memory performance in children and adolescents with obesity
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1590/Keywords:
Children, Adolescents, Obesity, MemoryAbstract
Obesity during childhood and adolescence may delay
cognitive development. This study aims to evaluate predictors that
influence executive functions and memory in children and adolescents
with obesity. A cross-sectional study was carried out with children and
adolescents with obesity (aged 7–18 years) (n=32). Executive functions;
episodic memory; semantic memory; body composition; inflammation
biomarkers; cardiorespiratory fitness, stress, socioeconomic status,
and regular physical exercise were assessed. A linear stepwise
regression was performed with the variables with significant
correlation. Adiposity (%fat) and BMI z-scores were associated with
worse episodic memory. Verbal fluency was associated with visceral
fat. At the tower of Hanoi test, planning and cognitive flexibility were
associated with visceral fat, whereas the number of movements was
associated with the practice of sports and physical exercise. Regular
exercise favored the cognitive planning of children and adolescents
with obesity. The number of errors was directly associated with the
children stress scale score. In conclusion, body composition, memory,
and the executive functions of cognitive flexibility and inhibitory control
showed an association between each other. Executive functions and
memory in children and adolescents might be associated with stress
and regular physical exercise practice regardless of intensity.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Daniel Almeida Freitas, Bruno Alvarenga Soares, Arthur Rocha Gomes, Túlio Pereira Alvarenga e Castro, Bethânia Alves de Avelar Freitas, Herbert Renato Coelho Gomes, Ana Cristina Rodrigues Lacerda, Fernanda Cordoba Lanza, Fernanda de Oliveira Ferreira, Vanessa Amaral Mendonça, Hércules Ribeiro Leite
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