Allostatic load and executive functions in overweight adults
J Ottino-González1, M A Jurado1, I García-García2
1Departament de Psicologia Clínica i Psicobiologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain; Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain; Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Spain.
Psychoneuroendocrinology
|April 17, 2019
Summary
Overweight individuals experience greater physiological stress, impacting executive functions like cognitive flexibility. This stress may contribute to rigid behaviors, particularly concerning food choices.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Overweight is associated with inflammatory and neuroendocrine changes.
- These changes can negatively affect brain function, especially the prefrontal cortex.
- The prefrontal cortex is vital for executive functions and behavioral control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between increased allostatic load (a measure of chronic stress) and executive functions.
- Specific executive functions examined include cognitive flexibility, inhibitory control, and working memory.
- The study focused on differences between healthy-weight and overweight individuals.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 47 healthy-weight and 56 overweight volunteers (aged 21-40) was recruited.
- Participants underwent comprehensive medical and neuropsychological assessments.
- Allostatic load index was calculated as a marker of physiological stress.
Main Results:
- Overweight participants demonstrated a significantly higher allostatic load index compared to healthy-weight individuals.
- A negative correlation was observed between the allostatic load index and inhibitory control.
- The association between allostatic load index and cognitive flexibility was more pronounced in the overweight group.
Conclusions:
- Overweight status is indicative of heightened chronic physiological stress.
- The diminished cognitive flexibility in overweight individuals, linked to higher allostatic load, may underlie rigid eating behaviors.
- Findings suggest a neurobiological link between weight status, stress, and executive function deficits.
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