ABSTRACT

Overweight and obesity may be associated with cognitive problems and both may share “neuroendocrinobiological roots” in common cerebral areas. We investigated intellectual performances and a possible “specific cognitive profile” in overweight/obese children. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 898 school children (6 to 13 years) attending primary schools. Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-revised (WISC-R) revealed significant differences in performance intelligence quotient (PIQ) scores between body mass index (BMI) subgroups (p<0.01). Regression analysis identified BMI as the only variable significantly related to PIQ (p<0.05). Gender (p<0.05) and parental educational score (p<0.001) were significantly related to verbal intelligence quotient (VIQ). Parental educational score was the only factor significantly related to total intelligence quotient (TIQ) (p<0.05). Parental education seems to play a major role in TIQ and VIQ; a lower PIQ score is clearly related to a higher BMI. A routine neurocognitive assessment in overweight/ obese children is recommended.

Finally, we have added some reflections on common neuroendocrinobiological roots.