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The Effect of Physical Activity on Cognitive Functions among Children with Obesity or Overweight: A Meta-Analysis

Liuyang Zhou, Xi Chen, Huijuan Yang

    Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine
    |July 22, 2024
    PubMed

    Insights

    Physical activity enhances cognitive functions like executive function, inhibition control, and attention in overweight and obese children. The specific benefits depend on the type and duration of exercise, highlighting tailored interventions for improved outcomes.

    Area of Science:

    • Pediatric Obesity
    • Exercise Science
    • Cognitive Neuroscience

    Background:

    • Childhood obesity is a growing concern impacting overall health and development.
    • Cognitive function is crucial for academic success and daily functioning in children.
    • Understanding the role of physical activity in mitigating cognitive deficits in this population is essential.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To systematically compare the effects of different types and durations of physical activity on cognitive function in children with obesity or overweight.
    • To synthesize existing evidence through meta-analysis to provide a quantitative assessment of these effects.

    Main Methods:

    • A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases (Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, etc.) up to September 2023.
    • 16 relevant studies were selected based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria.
    • Meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.3 to analyze the data from the included studies.

    Main Results:

    • Physical activity demonstrated a positive impact on executive function (SMD = -0.12), inhibition control (SMD = 0.54), and attention (SMD = 0.04).
    • Overall cognitive function also showed improvement (SMD = -0.08), though with significant heterogeneity across studies.
    • The effectiveness of physical activity varied based on its characteristics in overweight and obese children.

    Conclusions:

    • Physical activity is a viable strategy to enhance cognitive functions in overweight and obese children.
    • Specific domains of cognitive function, including executive function, inhibition control, and attention, benefit from physical activity.
    • The characteristics of physical activity interventions should be considered to maximize cognitive benefits in this pediatric population.
    Abstract

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