Abstract

EFFECT OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, DIET, AND LIFESTYLE MODIFICATIONS ON COGNITIVE HEALTH CHANGES IN OBESE PEOPLE: A SCOPING REVIEW

Samba Shiva Sadaram, Ramya Surada*, Raj Kiran Kolakota, Vinodkumar Mugada

ABSTRACT

The prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity has increased markedly in most countries during the past several decades. Obese individuals often have a reduced life expectancy and increased healthcare needs, mostly due to the increased risk of co-morbidities. Publications were identified through keywords in the databases like PubMed, Trip database, Google Scholar. Predefined eligibility criteria were applied to include only relevant articles. Three stage screening was performed to explore the suitability of the articles. The association between obesity and cognitive function was more consistently found within the domain of executive function which is important for physical health, mental health, and success. The interplay between obesity and brain function relates to executive function (EF), which refers to self-regulatory cognitive processes that are associated with monitoring and controlling both thought and goal-directed behaviors. Intentional weight loss via caloric restriction in elderly obese subjects with mild cognitive impairment could slow the cognitive decline. While it has been suggested that fast food consumption may be linked to weight gain and obesity. Obesity might contribute to impaired executive functioning. In particular reduction in body mass leads to improved executive functioning. Physical activity may affect cognitive function and academic achievement. Lifestyle interventions can improve health and reduce co-morbidities in children, and thus may benefit cognitive and educational outcomes, by reducing sources of metabolic and psychosocial stress, and by improving those neurocognitive abilities associated with weight gain.

Keywords: Physical activity, Diet, Lifestyle changes, Cognition, Obesity, and systematic review.