The effect of working memory training on executive function in reduced-obese women: implications for long-term weight loss maintenance (the mind the gap 2 study)

Rudner, Trinity

The effect of working memory training on executive function in reduced-obese women: implications for long-term weight loss maintenance (the mind the gap 2 study)

Master Thesis

2021

Abstract

Background: Weight loss often results in various physiological and behavioural compensatory changes which increase susceptibility to weight regain, resulting in unsuccessful weight-loss maintenance in the long term. Evidence suggests that working memory (WM) plays a key role in self-regulation and executive control, which is vital in overcoming these compensatory responses to weight loss. The current study therefore aimed (1) to identify the compensatory responses that occur with weight loss, (2) to investigate whether WM training (WMT) can improve executive control in reduced-obese women, and (3) compare subjective and objective WM methodologies. Methods: Reduced-obese (n=23) and stable-weight (n=6) women were recruited in this study. All 29 women were characterised at baseline testing for various physiological, behavioural and cognitive outcomes. After baseline testing, a subset of 19 reduced-obese women underwent 6-weeks of WMT, after which they completed post-intervention testing and a 6-month follow up. The series of assessments at baseline and post intervention included: anthropometric measurements; eating and behaviour questionnaires; executive function and working memory tests; metabolic rate; blood profile (HbA1c; glucose; insulin); and appetite measures. Results: Reduced-obese women showed signs of greater eating disordered behaviour and greater post-prandial energy efficiency compared to stable-weight women, although there appeared to be no difference in their executive function. The WMT appeared to result in improved WM capacity in reduced-obese women, which was retained in the long term, and there was some evidence of transfer to behaviour, with an observed reduction in eating-disordered behaviour. When comparing WM methodologies there appeared to be a contradictory relationship between subjective and objective WM measures. Conclusions: The results from this study support the evidence that physiological and behavioural changes occur in those that have lost a significant amount of weight, stressing the importance of finding weight-loss therapies that target these compensatory responses to weight loss. WMT was found to improve WM capacity in reduced-obese women, however, study limitations mean that the effects the training may have had on behaviour and weight maintenance could not be accurately determined. Furthermore, the contradictory relationship found between subjective and objective measures of WM add to the uncertainty that they measure the same underlying construct, which highlights the importance of utilising various types of measures in the analysis of WM and executive function.

Keywords

Medicine

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