AUTHOR=Du Zhongquan , Li Jingjing , Huang Jiaai , Ma Jing , Xu Xiaoyu , Zou Rong , Xu Xia TITLE=Executive Functions in Predicting Weight Loss and Obesity Indicators: A Meta-Analysis JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychology VOLUME=11 YEAR=2021 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.604113 DOI=10.3389/fpsyg.2020.604113 ISSN=1664-1078 ABSTRACT=
While previous studies have suggested that there exists a relationship between obesity and executive function (EF), the mechanisms and causal relationship between them remain unclear. There are important clinical implications of determining whether EF can predict and treat obesity. We conducted a multilevel meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and longitudinal studies. Specifically, we investigate (a) whether EF interventions have an effect on weight loss, (b) whether baseline EF can be a predictor of future weight loss through obesity intervention, and (c) whether early-life EF can predict future weight loss. Eight RCTs and 17 longitudinal studies with a total of 11,393 participants were identified. We found that (a) EF interventions may not have an effect on weight loss, (b) baseline inhibition (β = 0.259,