Abstract
Recent studies have suggested a link between executive function (EF) and obesity. Studies often adopt body mass index (BMI), which reflects the distribution of subcutaneous fat, as the sole marker of obesity; however, BMI is inappropriate to distinguish central obesity, which indicates the centralized distribution of visceral fat. Visceral fat compared with subcutaneous fat represents greater relative lipid turnover and may increase the risk of cognitive decline in older adults. However, the relationship between EF and central obesity is largely unknown, particularly in young adults. Therefore, we used waist circumference (WC) as a marker of central obesity and investigated different sensitivities between BMI and WC in the brain function. A total of 26 healthy young adults (aged 18–25 years; 42% female) underwent functional near-infrared spectroscopy assessments. EF was assessed using the Stroop task, which is a classical measurement of EF. A significant Stroop effect was observed in the behavioral and hemodynamic data. In addition, we observed that behavioral interference on the Stroop task varied much more in subjects with higher BMI and WC than those subjects with lower. Elevated BMI and WC were associated with a decreased hemodynamic response during the Stroop task specifically in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Compared to BMI, WC was more closely connected with inhibitory control and revealed right lateralized PFC activation. Our findings suggest that WC is a reliable indicator of brain function in young adults and propose a relationship between EF and central obesity.
Highlights
Over the past 30 years, overweight and obesity have risen dramatically worldwide.[1]
We examined whether the di®erences in Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) were related to the Stroop interference
BMI and WC, two anthropometric measurements, were closely linked to Stroop task performance.[34]. Ournding suggests that both BMI and WC are related to brain function and are negatively associated with the hemodynamic response in the prefrontal cortex (PFC)
Summary
Over the past 30 years, overweight and obesity have risen dramatically worldwide.[1] Data from the World Health Organization suggest that overweight and obesity lead to health consequences such as cancers, cardiovascular disease and metabolic disease.[2] Recent studies have suggested that obesity is an important predictor of structural brain impairments,[3] abnormal brain function[4] and decreased behavioral performance in tests of executive function (EF).[5] Body mass index (BMI) has been widely used in previous studies as a sole marker of obesity.[6] this anthropometric measurement re°ects the overall distribution of subcutaneous fat and is inappropriate to distinguish centralized distribution of visceral fat or central obesity.[7,8] Rather, waist circumference (WC) has been suggested as the best anthropometric measurement of central obesity.[9]
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