A Meta-Analysis of Reward Function and Childhood Obesity

Abstract

Obesity is a prevailing illness among children around the world. In the past decades, to unveil the truth about obesity, many researchers have conducted different studies on the influence of the reward function system on eating behaviors and obesity. Their reports all have similar statements that the dysfunctional neuronal reward function system has influenced many children worldwide and led to obesity. In addition, they generally state that the reward function brings more lousy eating behaviors and increases chances of obesity in children. In this case, the reward function system functions through the food reward, external reward, and the brain regions responsible for the reward processes. This review focuses on past research papers and analysis reviews related to the topics of reward function systems, obesity, and their relationships. Then, the conclusion can be made that the dysfunctional reward function system can affect childhood obesity in terms of the changing rewards, externalities, and brain functions. However, the brain is too complex for humans to learn all its facts. Thus, the existing limitations of technology and ethics limit the truth researchers can find about the reward function. As a result, more studies, even repeated studies, on different brain regions possibly responsible for the reward function should be conducted. Also, the development of human neurotechnology is urgently needed.