Influence of childhood excess weight on cognitive, behavioural and emotional outcomes

Abstract

Background: Obesity, considered a worldwide epidemic, generate great interest to the scientific community due to its impact on public health. Particularly in children because of their vulnerability. In view of the bidirectional relationship between obesity and neurodevelopmental aspects, this study aims to evaluate the effect of excess weight on cognitive and behavioural development. Methods: A total of 130 Spanish children (3 to 12 years) were included. Cognitive function and behaviour were assessed using the validated Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children–V (WISC-V) and Behaviour Assessment System for Children-3 (BASC-3) tests, respectively. Individuals were classified into groups according to body mass index (BMI) (normal weight and overweight/obesity). Multivariable logistic regression models were performed to address the influence of excess weight on cognitive-behavioural functioning. Results: The results showed that infants who had overweight/obesity were more likely to have lower scores on the full-scale intelligence quotient (FSIQ: OR adjusted = 3.81, p = 0.006), verbal comprehension (VCI: OR adjusted = 2.57, p = 0.045), fluid reasoning (FRI: OR adjusted = 2.79, p value = 0.030) and working memory index (WMI: OR adjusted = 3.59, p = 0.008). No statistically significant results were found between excess weight and behavioural outcomes after adjustment for confounding factors. Secondly, Spearman's correlation analyses revealed a set of inverse correlations between cognitive ability and various behavioural and emotional problems, especially in cases group. Conclusions: In conclusion, excess weight may be negatively associated with a worse cognitive performance. Further, poorer cognitive function may lead to greater vulnerability to neurobehavioral disturbances in children with excess weight. These results underscore the need of further investigation.