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Intelligence in relation to obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis
1Department of Pediatrics, Nanjing Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
Summary
Lower childhood intelligence quotient (IQ) is linked to adult obesity, though educational attainment may mediate this relationship. This systematic review highlights the complex association between IQ and obesity across different age groups.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Obesity and intelligence quotient (IQ) are significant public health concerns.
- The relationship between childhood IQ and later obesity requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the association between IQ and obesity, focusing on childhood IQ and adult obesity.
- To analyze the impact of obesity on IQ across different developmental stages.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of 26 studies screened from 883 citations across five electronic databases.
- Analysis of weighted mean differences (WMD) for full IQ (FIQ), performance IQ, and verbal IQ in relation to obesity.
Main Results:
- Obese children showed significantly lower FIQ (-2.8) and performance IQ (-10.0) compared to controls.
- Increasing obesity in pre-school children correlated with declining FIQ, particularly in severely obese individuals.
- The inverse association between IQ and obesity in adults became non-significant after adjusting for educational attainment.
Conclusions:
- A complex, inverse relationship exists between IQ and obesity, varying by age.
- Educational attainment appears to be a significant mediating factor in the persistence of obesity, especially from childhood into adulthood.
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