Executive functions and eating behavior: Commentary on Steegers et al. (2021). Issue 3 (25th January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Seidel, Maria; King, Joseph A.; Ehrlich, Stefan
• Is Part Of: International journal of eating disorders. Volume 55:Issue 3(2022)
• Page Start: 418
• Page End: 419
• Publication Date: 2022-01-25
• Subjects: anorexia nervosa -- eating disorders -- executive functions -- obesity -- population‐based -- risk factors; Appetite disorders -- Periodicals; Ingestion disorders -- Periodicals; Eating disorders -- Periodicals; 616.8526
• DOI: 10.1002/eat.23684
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0276-3478

Abstract

Abstract: Alterations in executive functions have repeatedly been found in individuals suffering from eating and weight disorders. However, less is known about how these cognitive processes might contribute to the etiology of the disorders, as large prospective population‐based studies have been missing. Here, we comment on the results of Steegers et al. (2021), a study that helped to fill this gap with a focus on set‐shifting abilities predicting symptoms of anorexia nervosa (AN) in children. The main goal of this commentary is to encourage further interpretation of the population‐based data beyond its relevance to AN. More specifically, we discuss the role of impaired inhibition as a risk factor for weight gain and obesity.