AUTHOR=La Marra Marco , Ilardi Ciro Rosario , Villano Ines , Polito Rita , Sibillo Maria Raffella , Franchetti Marina , Caggiano Angela , Strangio Francesca , Messina Giovanni , Monda Vincenzo , Di Maio Girolamo , Messina Antonietta 

TITLE=Higher general executive functions predicts lower body mass index by mitigating avoidance behaviors

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Endocrinology

VOLUME=13

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/endocrinology/articles/10.3389/fendo.2022.1048363

DOI=10.3389/fendo.2022.1048363

ISSN=1664-2392

ABSTRACT=<sec><title>Background</title><p>The present study examines the relationship between obesity, executive functions, and body image in a nonclinical population from southern Italy.</p></sec><sec><title>Methods</title><p>General executive functioning (Frontal Assessment Battery–15), and body image disturbances (Body Uneasiness Test) were assessed in a sample including 255 participants (138 females, M age = 43.51 years, SD = 17.94, range = 18–86 years; M body mass index (BMI) = 26.21, SD = 4.32, range = 18.03–38.79).</p></sec><sec><title>Findings</title><p>Multiple Linear Regression Analysis indicated that age, years of education, FAB15 score, body image concerns, and avoidance predicted the variance of BMI. A subsequent mediation analysis highlighted that the indirect effect of FAB15 on BMI through avoidance was statistically significant.</p></sec><sec><title>Interpretation</title><p>Our results suggest that more performing executive functioning predicts a decrease in BMI that is partially due to the mitigation of avoidance behaviors.</p></sec>