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Breaking bad habits by improving executive function in individuals with obesity
Vanessa Allom1, Barbara Mullan1, Evelyn Smith2,3
1Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine Research Group, School of Psychology and Speech Pathology, Curtin University, Perth, Australia.
BMC Public Health
|April 18, 2018
Summary
Cognitive Remediation Therapy for Obesity (CRT-O) improved executive function, leading to reduced unhealthy eating and sedentary habits. This suggests cognitive flexibility is key to long-term weight management.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Science
- Clinical Psychology
- Obesity Research
Background:
- Obesity stems from habitual unhealthy eating and sedentary behaviors.
- These habits are challenging to modify long-term.
- Cognitive Remediation Therapy for Obesity (CRT-O) shows promise in weight loss and executive function improvement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze secondary data from a CRT-O randomized controlled trial.
- To determine if CRT-O reduces unhealthy habits through enhanced executive function.
Main Methods:
- Eighty participants with obesity were randomized to CRT-O or a control group.
- Measures of executive function and unhealthy habits were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up.
Main Results:
- CRT-O participants showed improved executive function and reduced unhealthy habits compared to controls.
- Mediation analysis indicated that changes in Wisconsin Card Sort Task perseverance errors (executive function) predicted habit changes.
Conclusions:
- CRT-O's effectiveness may stem from disrupting unhealthy habits via improved executive function.
- Enhanced cognitive flexibility appears crucial for behavior change in weight management.
- Individuals can better align behavior with weight loss goals by improving cognitive flexibility.
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