Food addiction and impaired executive functions in women with obesity

• DOI: 10.1002/erv.2636
• Publication Date: 2018-08-30T12:51:17Z
• Authors: Trevor Steward; Gemma Mestre‐Bach; Cristina Vintró‐A...; María Lozano‐Madrid; Zaida Agüera; José A. Fernández...; Roser Granero; Susana Jiménez‐Mu...; Nuria Vilarrasa; Amador García‐Rui...; Misericordia Veci...; Nuria Custal; Nuria Virgili; Rafael López‐Urdi...; Ashley N. Gearhardt; José M. Menchón; Carles Soriano‐Mas; Fernando Fernánde...
• Keywords: Food addiction; Iowa gambling task; Perseveration

Abstract Background Individuals with obesity (OB) often report suffering from addiction‐like symptoms. As in addictions, deficits executive function domains, such as decision‐making and sustained attention, are found OB. No study to date has examined the associations between food addiction, OB, neuropsychological performance. Method Thirty‐three adult women OB 36 healthy weight controls completed Yale Food Addiction Scale Version 2.0, a validated instrument used assess food‐related addictive behaviours. Additionally, participants computerized versions of Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) Conners' Continuous Performance Test, second edition (CPT‐II) examine attentional control, respectively. Results addiction criteria were met 24.2% 2.8% control group. In group, severity levels negatively correlated overall scores on IGT. Participants meeting for committed more omissions perseveration errors CPT‐II compared those without addiction. Conclusions Our results point an association impairments capacity individuals Given heterogeneity it stands reason that this subset patients could potentially benefit interventions targeting deficits.