Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 23, 2025

Errors as a Means of Reducing Impulsive Food Choice
07:07

Errors as a Means of Reducing Impulsive Food Choice

Published on: June 5, 2016

8.7K

Disinhibited Eating and Executive Functioning in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Clarissa V Shields1, Kara V Hultstrand1, Caroline E West1

  • 1Department of Psychological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA.

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
|October 27, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Poorer executive function (EF) skills are linked to increased disinhibited eating in children and adolescents. This systematic review highlights EF as a potential target for pediatric obesity prevention and treatment strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Disinhibited eating and weaker executive function (EF) are recognized risk factors for pediatric obesity.
  • Emerging research indicates a connection between EF skills and eating regulation in youth.
  • A synthesis of the association between diverse EF skills and disinhibited eating across child development is lacking.

Approach:

  • A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to investigate the impact of EF skills on disinhibited eating behaviors in individuals aged 3-18 years.
  • Data from 15 studies, encompassing 4909 youth, were analyzed using PubMed and PsychINFO databases.
  • A random effects meta-analysis quantified the relationship between overall EF skills and disinhibited eating.

Key Points:

  • Overall executive function skills demonstrated a small, statistically significant negative effect on disinhibited eating behavior (r = -0.14, p < 0.01).
  • Working memory, a specific EF skill, exhibited a medium negative effect on disinhibited eating behavior (r = -0.25, p < 0.05).
  • Findings indicate an inverse relationship: poorer EF abilities correlate with higher levels of disinhibited eating in children and adolescents.

Conclusions:

  • The meta-analysis supports an inverse relationship between executive function abilities and disinhibited eating patterns in youth.
  • Executive function difficulties may represent a barrier to effective weight management in pediatric populations.
  • Future research should explore EF skills as a potential target for obesity prevention and treatment in children and adolescents.

Keywords:
disinhibited eatingexecutive functioningobesityovereating

More Related Videos

Control of Eating Behavior Using a Novel Feedback System04:48

Control of Eating Behavior Using a Novel Feedback System

Published on: May 8, 2018

11.1K
Three Laboratory Procedures for Assessing Different Manifestations of Impulsivity in Rats09:12

Three Laboratory Procedures for Assessing Different Manifestations of Impulsivity in Rats

Published on: March 17, 2019

9.5K

Related Concept Videos

Binge Eating Disorders01:23

Binge Eating Disorders

Binge eating disorder is a significant mental health condition characterized by recurrent episodes of excessive food consumption within a short period, accompanied by a perceived loss of control over eating behavior. Unlike occasional overeating, binge eating disorder is marked by distressing emotions such as guilt, shame, and anxiety following binge episodes. The disorder affects individuals across different ages and backgrounds, with profound implications for physical and psychological...
157
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder01:30

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....
157
Bulimia Nervosa01:30

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by a cyclical pattern of binge-and-purge eating pattern. It generally involves an episode of binge eating, followed by compensatory behaviors such as vomiting, excessive exercise, laxative use, or fasting, to prevent weight gain. Despite often maintaining a normal weight, individuals with bulimia are intensely preoccupied with their body image and harbor an overwhelming fear of gaining weight. This can contribute to the...
181
Anorexia Nervosa01:28

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of weight gain, an unrelenting pursuit of thinness, and a distorted body image. It often leads to dangerously low body weight relative to an individual's age and height. This disorder is marked by significant physical and psychological consequences, making it one of the most life-threatening psychiatric illnesses.
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
177
Regulation of Food Intake01:30

Regulation of Food Intake

Short-term regulation of food intake primarily involves neural signals from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, blood nutrient levels, and GI tract hormones. Communication between the gut and brain via vagal nerve fibers plays a significant role in evaluating the contents of the gut. Clinical studies have shown that protein ingestion produces a more prolonged response in these nerve fibers compared to an equivalent amount of glucose. Additionally, the activation of stretch receptors caused by GI...
331