Executive functions play a critical role in regulating eating behaviors and have been shown to be associated with overeating which over time can result in overweight and obesity. There has been a paucity of research examining the associations among healthy dietary behaviors and executive functions utilizing behavioral rating scales of executive functioning. The objective of the present cross-sectional study was to evaluate the associations among fruit and vegetable consumption, intake of foods high in saturated fat, and executive functions using the Behavioral Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning-Adult Version. A total of 240 university students completed the Behavioral Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning-Adult Version, the 26-Item Eating Attitudes Test, and the Diet subscale of the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities Questionnaire. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted with two separate models in which fruit and vegetable consumption and saturated fat intake were the outcomes. Demographic variables, body mass index, and eating styles were controlled for in the analysis. Better initiation skills were associated with greater intake of fruits and vegetables in the last 7 days (standardized beta = -0.17; p < 0.05). Stronger inhibitory control was associated with less consumption of high fat foods in the last 7 days (standardized beta = 0.20; p < 0.05) in the multiple linear regression analysis. Executive functions that predict fruit and vegetable consumption are distinct from those that predict avoidance of foods high in saturated fat. Future research should investigate whether continued skill enhancement in initiation and inhibition following standard behavioral interventions improves long-term maintenance of weight loss.

The interpretation of plasma norepinephrine (NE) levels is not straightforward because such levels represent a complex of synaptic discharge, metabolism, uptake, and regional blood flow. Some investigators have argued that peripheral NE levels bear little semblance to sympathetic nervous system activity affecting the cardiovascular system. This study examines this question in further detail. Eleven men (average age = 29) were studied. Plasma NE levels were obtained through continuous blood withdrawal from an antecubital vein, and simultaneous blood pressures were also monitored. Each subject was studied during four 4-min intervals of rest and during four 4-min intervals of a psychiatric stress interview. The interview was a friendly, intense discussion about upsetting situations the subject faced. The interview was a powerful and consistent tool for evoking physiologic responses. It led to an 83% increase in NE levels across all time intervals (p less than 0.001). During these same intervals, systolic pressure increased by 16 mm (p less than 0.0003) and diastolic by 13 mm (p less than 0.0001); furthermore, systolic and diastolic pressures were correlated with peripheral NE levels. This implies that the increased peripheral NE level was not merely a local phenomenon but reflected a signal affecting the entire vascular system.

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The present findings provide preliminary support for targeting an avoidant coping style in preventative interventions, particularly for youth that have the propensity to overeat in response to feelings of depression.

Nitric oxide (NO) is a ubiquitous signaling molecule that is critical for supporting a plethora of processes in biological organisms. Among these, its role in the innate immune system as a first line of defense against pathogens has received less attention. In asthma, levels of exhaled NO have been utilized as a window into airway inflammation caused by allergic processes. However, respiratory infections count among the most important triggers of disease exacerbations. Among the multitude of factors that affect NO levels are psychological processes. In particular, longer lasting states of psychological stress and depression have been shown to attenuate NO production. The novel SARS-CoV-2 virus, which has caused a pandemic, and with that, sustained levels of psychological stress globally, also adversely affects NO signaling. We review evidence on the role of NO in respiratory infection, including COVID-19, and stress, and argue that boosting NO bioavailability may be beneficial in protection from infections, thus benefitting individuals who suffer from stress in asthma or SARS-CoV-2 infection.