Brain structure, executive function and appetitive traits in adolescent obesity

• Published in: Pediatric obesity Vol. 12; no. 4; pp. e33 - e36
• Main Authors: Groot, C. J., Akker, E. L. T., Rings, E. H. H. M., Delemarre‐van de Waal, H. A., Grond, J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.08.2017
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adolescent obesity; amygdala; appetitive traits; Brain; Brain - physiopathology; Child; Child Behavior; Childrens health; Executive Function; Feeding Behavior; Female; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Neurochemistry; Obesity; Pediatric Obesity - physiopathology; Pediatrics; Surveys and Questionnaires; Teenagers; appetitive traits; amygdala; Adolescent obesity; executive function
• ISSN: 2047-6302; 2047-6310
• DOI: 10.1111/ijpo.12149

Summary Background Children with obesity show differences in brain structure, executive function and appetitive traits when compared with lean peers. Little is known on the relationship between brain structure and these traits. Objectives To investigate the relationship between differences in brain structure and executive function and appetitive traits, in obese and lean adolescents. Methods MRI was used to measure cortical thickness and subcortical volumes. Executive function was measured by a Stop Signal‐and a Choice Delay Task. Appetitive traits were measured using the Child Eating Behaviour Questionnaire. Results Adolescents with obesity had greater volumes of the pallidum; 1.78 mL (SE 0.03, p=0.014), when compared with controls; 1.65 mL (SE 0.02). In the group with obesity, greater pallidum volume was positively associated with the ability to delay reward in the Choice Delay Task (p=0.012). Conclusion The association between pallidum volumes and Choice Delay Task in obese adolescents supports the hypothesis that the pallidum plays an important role in executive dysfunction in obese children.