A2 Review article, Literature review, Systematic review
The Role of Chronic Physical Activity in Alleviating the Detrimental Relationship of Childhood Obesity on Brain and Cognition (2021)

Hsieh, S.-S., Raine, L. B., Ortega, F. B., & Hillman, C. H. (2021). The Role of Chronic Physical Activity in Alleviating the Detrimental Relationship of Childhood Obesity on Brain and Cognition. Journal of Cognitive Enhancement, 6(2), 248-271. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41465-021-00230-7

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Hsieh, Shu-Shih; Raine, Lauren B.; Ortega, Francisco B.; Hillman, Charles H.

Journal or series: Journal of Cognitive Enhancement

ISSN: 2509-3290

eISSN: 2509-3304

Publication year: 2021

Publication date: 13/11/2021

Volume: 6

Issue number: 2

Pages range: 248-271

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Publication country: United States

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41465-021-00230-7

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/89788

Publication is parallel published: http://hdl.handle.net/10481/71847

Abstract

Childhood obesity and its negative relation with children’s brain health has become a growing health concern. Over the last decade, literature has indicated that physical activity attenuates cognitive impairment associated with obesity and excess adiposity in children. However, there is no comprehensive review that considers the extent to which these factors affect different domains of cognition. This narrative review comprehensively summarizes behavioral, neuroimaging, and neuroelectric findings associated with chronic physical activity and fitness on brain and cognition in childhood obesity. Based on the literature reviewed, increased adiposity has a demonstrated relationship with neurocognitive health via mechanisms triggered by central inflammation and insulin resistance, with the most pronounced decrements observed for cognitive domains that are prefrontal- and hippocampal-dependent. Fortunately, physical activity, especially interventions enhancing aerobic fitness and motor coordination, have demonstrated efficacy for attenuating the negative effects of obesity across different subdomains of structural and functional brain imaging, cognition, and multiple academic outcomes in children with overweight or obesity. Such mitigating effects may be accounted for by attenuated central inflammation, improved insulin sensitivity, and increased expression of neurotrophic factors. Lastly, individual differences appear to play a role in this relationship, as the manipulation of physical activity characteristics, the employment of a wide array of cognitive and academic measures, the inclusion of different adiposity measures that are sensitive to neurocognitive function, and the utilization of an inter-disciplinary approach have been found to influence the relationship between physical activity and excess adiposity on brain and cognition.

Keywords: children (age groups); obesity; overweight; physical activity; physical training; brain; white matter; cognition; cognitive development; health; physical fitness

Free keywords: children; adiposity; ERP; fMRI; white matter; gray matter

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Preliminary JUFO rating: 0