Background and aims: There is growing evidence that poor cognitive functioning may be associated with the risk of obesity. The objective of the study was to examine the association of the hot and cool executive functions (EF) with body mass and composition in school-aged children.
Method: The sample included 254 boys and 233 girls aged 7-12 years old. Underweight, overweight and obesity were diagnosed according to IOTF criteria. The body size and proportions were assessed by BMI and WHR. The electric bioimpendance method (TANITA MC-980) was applied to assess the children’s body composition (BC). The following methods were applied to assess cool EF – the Stroop Color-Word Interference Test (SCWT), the Continuous Performance Test (CPT), the Trial Making Test (TMT). The Hungry Donkey Task (HGT) and the Delay of Gratification Task (DGT) were used to assess hot EF.
Results: TMT was associated with body fat (BF, r=0,095, p<0,05) and fat free mass (r=-0,106, p<0,05). CPT was associated with WHR (r=0,118, p<0,05). CPT was significant predictor of being obese but not overweight (Wald=180,564, p<0,0001). DGT was significant predictor of WHR result (R-squared=0,021, p<0,05) and associated with excess weight (Phi=0,118,p=0,014). HGT was not associated neither with weight status nor BC.
Conclusions: The better cool executive functioning, the greater chance for lower amount of BF and not being obese. The better ability to delay gratification (hot EF), the lower children’s WHR, however, the affective decision making function is not a significant predictor for children’s body weight status.
Funding: National Science Centre, Poland, grant number: 2016/21/B/NZ5/00492

HOT AND COOL EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS IN SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN – HOW DO THEY RELATE WITH CHILDREN’S WEIGHT STATUS AND BODY COMPOSITION?