Association Between Obesity, Executive Functions, and Affective States: An Analysis of Patients from an Endocrinology Clinic

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.13129/2282-1619/mjcp-4709

Keywords:

Anxiety, Clinical Psychology, Depression, Executive functions, Obesity.

Abstract

Introduction: Obesity is a multifaceted public health concern with significant cognitive and emotional implications. This study explores the association between obesity, executive function deficits, and affective states in 26 patients (76.9% male; mean age = 41.3 years, SD = 13.0) from an endocrinology clinic in Manizales, Colombia.

Method: This is a non-experimental cross-sectional study that used the BANFE-2 neuropsychological battery and the Hamilton Anxiety and Depression Scales; 96.2% of participants exhibited impaired executive functions, with severe deficits observed in 76.9%.

Results: Key impairments included inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, and self-monitoring, linked to dysfunctions in the dorsolateral (96.2%) and orbitomedial (50.0%) prefrontal cortex regions. Affective disturbances were prevalent, with 50.0% reporting severe anxiety and 73.1% experiencing depression. Men demonstrated higher rates of moderate-to-severe anxiety (66.7%) and depression (46.7%) compared to women, while non-adherence to treatment was associated with increased anxiety (p = 0.019).

Discussion: These findings underscore the critical interplay between neuropsychological deficits and emotional dysregulation in obesity. They suggest that interventions targeting executive functions and affective regulation could enhance outcomes for patients with obesity. This study offers a foundation for developing personalized therapeutic strategies and highlights the need for longitudinal research to establish causal mechanisms.

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30-04-2025

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Vol. 13 No. 1 (2025)

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Clinical Psychology

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