The emotional and cognitive processes in obesity

This thesis examined the relationship between emotional and cognitive function in obesity. The results from Chapter 2 demonstrated that anxiety and depression exacerbate negative perceptions of quality of life in the severely obese. In Chapter 3 it is reported that Alexithymia, a form of emotional dysfunction, may contribute towards poor lifestyle choices such as unhealthy snacking, less exercise, and lower fruit and vegetable consumption in adolescents. These findings are of particular interest because they suggest one way in which the obesity cycle may begin in youth. Chapter 4 presents the results study which found that the relationship between BMI and cognitive tasks is not as straightforward as suggested in previous literature. When controlling for factors such as impulsivity and self-esteem, many BMI-cognition relationships disappeared. However, a relationship between memory function and BMI was observed that was moderated by age. The studies reported in Chapter 5, investigated individual difference in food memory. Positive food preoccupation was found to influence both food memory and later snack intake. Overall, this thesis reports novel findings that add to the literature documenting emotional and cognitive problems related to obesity