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Bidirectional Associations Between Adiposity and Cognitive Function and Mediation by Brain Morphology in the ABCD
Mohammad Nazmus Sakib1, John R Best2, Peter A Hall1,3,4
1School of Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Health, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
JAMA Network Open
|February 16, 2023
Summary
Adolescent executive function and episodic memory show a two-way relationship with adiposity. This highlights the brain’s role as both a risk factor and outcome in obesity, impacting health strategies.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Public Health
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Epidemiologic studies often view the brain as an outcome of adiposity, but its role as a risk factor for adiposity is less explored.
- The bidirectional relationship between brain health and adiposity in adolescents requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the bidirectional associations between adiposity and cognitive function in youth.
- To investigate potential mediating pathways involving lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC) morphology, lifestyle behaviors, and blood pressure.
Main Methods:
- Utilized longitudinal data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study (N=11,103) over two years.
- Employed multivariate multivariable regression and cross-lagged panel models to analyze cognitive function indicators and adiposity metrics (zBMI, WC).
Main Results:
- Higher adiposity (zBMI, WC) was linked to poorer episodic memory and better vocabulary.
- Better executive function and episodic memory were associated with lower adiposity.
- Bidirectional associations were observed between executive function and adiposity, mediated by LPFC volume/thickness, physical activity, and blood pressure.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive functions like executive function and episodic memory are bidirectionally linked with adiposity in adolescents.
- The brain acts as both a risk factor and an outcome in the context of adiposity.
- These complex interactions necessitate consideration in future research and clinical interventions for adolescent health.
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