Metabolic Syndrome Risk, Executive Function, And Intelligence Among Children

Cognitive processing is essential for learning and development among children. The emergence of risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS), as factors driven by obesity and physical inactivity, has been negatively associated with cognitive performance among children. What remains unclear is how modifiable early markers of MetS relate to cognitive performance. PURPOSE: This study aims to determine if MetS risk factors related to executive function and intelligence are moderated by free-reduced lunch (as a representation of SES) among children. METHODS: We recruited 55 children (Mage = 9.54±1.46; 50% white) enrolled in an afterschool childcare program and measured resting BP (systolic and diastolic measured three times after rest), BMI, and VO2 max measured using a modified GXT. Cognitive assessments collected one on one with the child included Stroop, Trail Making Test, and Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (KBIT2). Blood markers were requested from participants, but 50% declined. RESULTS: Two participants were removed from the final analysis because of missing data. A series of multiple linear regressions were computed to identify the main effects of MetS risks and SES and interaction with executive function and KBIT2 measures. When SES was included in the model there were no significant main or interaction effects. When excluding SES, MetS risk was associated with lower crystallized intelligence (p < .01), fluid intelligence (p = .03), KBIT2 score (p < .01), and slower reaction time in the Trail Making Test (Trail A & B; ps < .05). There was no significant main effect or interaction with inhibitory control as measured by the Stroop. CONCLUSION: MetS risk factors of obesity and physical inactivity may be detrimental to executive function and intelligence, but were not moderated by SES. Irrespective of SES, early intervention focused on physical activity and balanced energy expenditure may be warranted to prevent children from falling behind in executive function and emerging crystallized and fluid intelligence. Future research needs to include blood markers to understand the contribution of insulin resistance at this stage of development.