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Review
. 2016 Jun;63(3):447-57.
doi: 10.1016/j.pcl.2016.02.006.

Neurocognitive Processes and Pediatric Obesity Interventions: Review of Current Literature and Suggested Future Directions

Alison L Miller  1
Affiliations
Review

Neurocognitive Processes and Pediatric Obesity Interventions: Review of Current Literature and Suggested Future Directions

Alison L Miller. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2016 Jun.

Abstract

Childhood obesity is a significant problem in the United States, but current childhood obesity prevention approaches have limited efficacy. Self-regulation processes organize behavior to achieve a goal and may shape health behaviors and health outcomes. Obesity prevention approaches that focus on the cognitive and behavioral mechanisms that underlie self-regulation early in life may therefore lead to better outcomes. This article reviews the development of executive functioning (EF), identifies influences on EF development, discusses aspects of EF relating to increased risk for childhood obesity, and considers how EF-weight associations may change across development. Implications for intervention are discussed.

Keywords: Behavior change; Executive functioning; Intervention; Pediatric obesity.

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Conflict of interest statement

Funding

I have no commercial or financial conflicts of interest.

Funding source: NIH Science of Behavior Change Common Fund Program, award UH2HD087979 to A. L. Miller administered by NICHD

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Potential Pathways of Association between Poor Executive Function and Obesity in Childhood
Figure 2
Figure 2
Effective Behavioral Strategies to Enhance Executive Functioning Capacity in Children
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