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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2025 Jul 31;17(15):2531.
doi: 10.3390/nu17152531.

Relationship Between Obesity and Impairment of Cognitive Functions: An Investigation into the Integrated Role of Nutritional Education and Physical Activity in Lower Secondary School

Maria Giovanna Tafuri  1 , Domenico Tafuri  2 , Francesca Latino  3
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Relationship Between Obesity and Impairment of Cognitive Functions: An Investigation into the Integrated Role of Nutritional Education and Physical Activity in Lower Secondary School

Maria Giovanna Tafuri et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

Background/objectives: Obesity in adolescence is associated with a deterioration in cognitive functions, with significant implications for psychophysical well-being and academic performance. Recent studies highlight the importance of integrated interventions that combine nutrition education and physical activity to promote the overall health of students. The present study aims to evaluate the efficacy of an integrated intervention based on nutritional education and conscious body movement in improving cognitive functions, perceived well-being and nutritional knowledge in lower secondary school students with indicators of overweight and obesity.

Methods: A quasi-experimental design with randomization at the class level was adopted, involving 60 students divided into an experimental group and control group. The intervention was divided into twelve weeks of activities, divided between nutritional education modules and physical activity courses. Standardized tests for the assessment of cognitive functions (Digit Span Forward, Digit Span Backward, Stroop Test, Trail Making Test B), motor tests (6-Minute Walk Test, Sit and Reach Test) and a food knowledge questionnaire were administered before and after the intervention.

Results: The experimental group showed significant improvements compared to the control group in all cognitive, motor, and nutritional knowledge measures, indicating the effectiveness of the integrated intervention in promoting cognitive and physical well-being.

Conclusions: The findings support the role of school as a generative environment of integrated well-being, suggesting the need to develop and implement curricular programs that integrate nutrition education and physical activity to counteract the negative effects of obesity on cognitive function in adolescents.

Keywords: cognitive performance; executive functions; health promotion; motor skills; school-aged children; school-based intervention.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flowchart of the study.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Results of the ANCOVA analysis. The scatterplot illustrates the relationship between pre-test scores (covariate) and adjusted post-test scores for the experimental group (blue) and the control group (red). The dotted regression lines represent the adjusted predictions, showing that for equivalent pre-test scores, participants in the experimental group achieved significantly higher post-test results compared to those in the control group.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Matrix of correlations.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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