Executive functions in adolescents with binge ‐eating disorder and obesity

This study examined EF in response to neutral stimuli in youth with BED. MethodAdolescents with BED and obesity (n = 22), individually matched adolescents with obesity (n = 22), and normal weight (n = 22) completed neuropsychological tests targeting inhibition (Color‐Word Interference Test), sustained attention (D2 Concentration Endurance Test), cognitive flexibility (Comprehensive Trail Making Test), and decision‐making (Iowa Gambling Task). ResultsAdolescents with BED and obesity displayed significantly poorer inhibitory control compared to normal‐weight adolescents. This effect persisted after controlling for the level of secondary education. However, initial differences between adolescents with obesity and normal‐weight controls regarding inhibitory control and sustained attention vanished after controlling for education. The three groups did not differ regarding cognitive flexibility and decision‐making. Moreover, adolescents with BED and obesity did not perform worse than adolescents with obesity on any of the neuropsychological tests. DiscussionOverall, our results indicate that adolescent BED is associated with only a few alterations in general EF, specifically inhibitory control, and underline BED and educational level as confounding factors in neuropsychological research on obesity. To further delineate EF profiles of adolescents with BED, future research should focus on EF in response to disorder‐related stimuli and experimental settings wit...
Source: International Journal of Eating Disorders - Category: Eating Disorders and Weight Management Authors: Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research