Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 5, 2025

Control of Eating Behavior Using a Novel Feedback System
Published on: May 8, 2018
Executive functions and eating behavior: Commentary on Steegers et al. (2021)
Maria Seidel1, Joseph A King1, Stefan Ehrlich1,2
1Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
Abstract:
Alterations in executive functions have repeatedly been found in individuals suffering from eating and weight disorders. However, less is known about how these cognitive processes might contribute to the etiology of the disorders, as large prospective population-based studies have been missing. Here, we comment on the results of Steegers et al. (2021), a study that helped to fill this gap with a focus on set-shifting abilities predicting symptoms of anorexia nervosa (AN) in children. The main goal of this commentary is to encourage further interpretation of the population-based data beyond its relevance to AN. More specifically, we discuss the role of impaired inhibition as a risk factor for weight gain and obesity.
Related Concept Videos
Regulation of Food Intake
Binge Eating Disorders
Self-Regulation
Self-Schemas
Self-Discrepancy Theory
Metabolic States of the Body: Fasting and Starvation

