Self-reported nutritional status, executive functions, and cognitive flexibility in adults

Abstract

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between nutrition status, executive cognitive functions, and cognitive flexibility; and to analyze the role of gender, age, and nutrition status in the prediction of executive cognitive functions and cognitive flexibility in a sample of Iranian adults. Background. This study is based on the hierarchy of needs, health beliefs, developmental, cognitive and psychophysiological conceptualizations of nutrition and their plausible influences on human cognitive functions and cognitive flexibility. Materials and Methods. The randomly selected sample consisted of 200 adult participants (M=99 and F=101) from Eghlid City, the north of Fars province, Iran. A demographic questionnaire, the Nutrition Assessment Inventory (NAI), the Amsterdam Executive Function Inventory (AEFI), and the Cognitive Flexibility Scale (CFS) were used. Results. Findings showed significant positive relationships between healthy nutrition (diet-oriented nutrition and high fat foods subscales of Nutrition Assessment Inventory), the evaluation coping subscale, and the total score of Cognitive Flexibility Inventory. In addition, age and nutritional status had a significant impact with regards to predicting cognitive flexibility and executive cognitive functions. Conclusions. Given the significant positive relationship between nutrition status and cognitive flexibility, and the role of gender and nutrition status on executive cognitive functions and mental flexibility, this study may offer beneficial approaches for nutrition and cognitive health programs by clinicians and health education professionals.

An examination of the Amsterdam Executive Function Inventory (AEFI) in South Africa: A factor analytic study.

“…This estimate study was also the same as that achieved in the parent study. The internal consistency for subscales was comparable to estimates reported in the literature in different contexts (Khodarahimi, 2018;van der Elst et al, 2012; M. A. J. van Tetering & Jolles, 2017).…”

“…These findings were comparable to the reliability coefficient reported by (Coppin, 2021) in the parent study (α = .74). It also approximated the internal consistency estimates in an adult population reported by Khodarahimi (2018). Similarly, the subscales obtained estimates suggesting adequate internal consistency as represented by a minimum coefficient of .60.…”

“…The Amsterdam Executive Functioning Inventory (AEFI; van der Elst et al, 2012) is a self-report measure of EF that has reportedly been used on child and adult populations. The AEFI was recommended for use in developing contexts to address some of the accessibility issues in instrumentation for EF (Khodarahimi, 2018). Initial uses of the AEFI in South Africa reported promising results supporting the use of the AEFI as a stand-alone measure of EF (Britz & van Zyl, 2020; Coppin, 2021; M.…”

Home learning environment and physical development impact children’s executive function development and literacy in rural Côte d’Ivoire

“…In rural Pakistan, children's height-for-age at 24 months was related to EF in preschool, independent of family food insecurity, socioeconomic resources, and stimulating environments (Obradović & Willoughby, 2019). The impact of nutrition on EF has also been demonstrated in adult populations in Iran, where a positive relation was found between self-reports of nutrition and cognitive flexibility (Khodarahimi, 2018). Importantly, physical growth uniquely predicts EF, independent of the effect of biological growth on general cognition (Black et al, 2017;Obradović & Willoughby, 2019).…”

Socio-Cultural Standards Promoted by the Mass Media as Predictors of Restrictive and Bulimic Behavior

“…In turn, bulimic behavior is uncontrolled, compulsive overeating combined with the use of laxatives, induced vomiting and other unhealthy behavior aimed at reducing unwanted body weight. Healthy nutrition (diet oriented nutrition and high fat foods) is positively correlates with good psychosocial functioning (60). Excessive frequency and severity of restrictive and bulimic behavior is a common symptom of eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge-eating disorder (61).…”