Cognitive profile, parental education and BMI in children: reflections on common neuroendrocrinobiological roots
Pasquale Parisi1, Alberto Verrotti, Maria Chiara Paolino
1Child Neurology, Paediatric Sleep Centre and Pediatric Endocrinology Division, Chair of Paediatrics, II Faculty of Medicine, Sapienza University c/o Sant Andrea Hospital, Via di Grottarossa, Rome, Italy. pasquale.parisi@uniroma1.it
Abstract:
Overweight and obesity may be associated with cognitive problems and both may share "neuroendocrinobiological roots" in common cerebral areas. We investigated intellectual performances and a possible "specific cognitive profile" in overweight/obese children. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 898 school children (6 to 13 years) attending primary schools. Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-revised (WISC-R) revealed significant differences in performance intelligence quotient (PIQ) scores between body mass index (BMI) subgroups (p < 0.01). Regression analysis identified BMI as the only variable significantly related to PIQ (p < 0.05). Gender (p < 0.05) and parental educational score (p < 0.001) were significantly related to verbal intelligence quotient (VIQ). Parental educational score was the only factor significantly related to total intelligence quotient (TIQ) (p < 0.05). Parental education seems to play a major role in TIQ and VIQ; a lower PIQ score is clearly related to a higher BMI. A routine neurocognitive assessment in overweight/obese children is recommended. Finally, we have added some reflections on common neuroendocrinobiological roots.
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