Inhibitory control and obesity in adolescents: A prospective cohort study

Inhibitory control (IC) is an executive function that plays a central role in the capability to control one's attention and behavior. Growing evidence suggests that deficits in IC are related to calorie consumption and obesity development. However, there are only a few studies that have addressed this issue prospectively. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of IC on anthropometric changes at one year follow up in a cohort of Argentinian adolescents.

A prospective cohort study of 569 students (264 boys and 305 girls) aged 13.18 ± 0.36 years at initial evaluation and 14.22 ± 0.29 years at follow up was performed. IC was assessed at baseline and at follow up by means of a computerized Go/No-Go task, and anthropometric measures were performed following standardized procedures. At follow up an abbreviated Three Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ-R21C) was performed.

Cross sectional analysis performed at the age of 14 revealed an association between IC and obesity, meanwhile at the age of 13 IC was associated with the degree of obesity. Prospective analysis showed that a lower IC at baseline predicted a higher increase in body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference at one year of follow up. Subjects with lower IC at follow up rated higher in the uncontrolled eating domain of TFEQ-R21C and presented higher snacking frequency.

A higher IC capacity at baseline might be associated with a more favorable evolution in BMI and waist circumference. A low IC at follow up is associated with obesity and higher uncontrolled eating. This suggests that the identification of subjects with low IC might be useful in order to detect adolescents at risk of obesity at earlier stages.