The Associations between Adiposity, Cognitive Function, and Achievement in Children

Although obesity has been related to measures of academic achievement and cognition in children, the influence of fat distribution, specifically visceral adiposity, on select aspects of achievement and cognitive function remains poorly characterized among preadolescent children. Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the relation of adiposity, particularly visceral adipose tissue, on achievement and cognitive function among children. Methods Children with obesity (ages 7-9 years old, N= 55, 35 females) completed cognitive and academic tests. Normal weight children (N= 55, 35 females) were matched to this group on demographic characteristics and aerobic fitness. Covariate analyses included age, Brief Intellectual Ability (BIA), SES, and fat free VO2 (VO2 peak adjusted for lean mass; ml/kg lean/min). Adiposity (i.e., whole body percent fat, subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue (SAAT), and visceral adipose tissue (VAT)) was assessed using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results The results of this study revealed that, relative to their normal weight counterparts, children with obesity had significantly lower performance on tests of reading and math. Analyses revealed that among children with obesity, %Fat and SAAT were not related to cognitive abilities. However, higher VAT was associated with poorer intellectual abilities, p's≤0.04; and cognitive performance (i.e. Thinking Ability and Cognitive Efficiency), p's≤0.04. However, among normal weight children, VAT was positively associated with intellectual abilities and cognitive efficiency. Conclusion In conclusion, the results suggest that VAT was selectively and negatively related with cognition among children with obesity. Along with the dangerous metabolic nature of VAT, its detrimental relationship with obese children's intellectual and cognitive functioning is concerning. CONTACT INFO: Lauren B. Raine, Department of Psychology, 635 ISEC, 360 Huntington Ave, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, E-mail: l.raine@northeastern.edu FUNDING SOURCE: Support for this project was provided by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2011-67001-30101 and NICHD grant HD069381. These sources did not play a role in the study design, collection, analysis or interpretation of the data, nor in the writing of the report and decision to submit the article for publication. Conflict of Interest: The authors of this document report no conflicts of interest associated with the collection, dissemination, or interpretation of this research. No patents, copyrights, or royalties are involved or included in this work. The results of the present study do not constitute endorsement by ACSM. The results of the study are presented clearly, honestly, and without fabrication, falsification, or inappropriate data manipulation. Accepted for Publication: 17 April 2018 © 2018 American College of Sports Medicine

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