AUTHOR=La Marra Marco , Ilardi Ciro Rosario , Villano Ines , Polito Rita , Sibillo Maria Raffella , Franchetti Marina , Caggiano Angela , Strangio Francesca , Messina Giovanni , Monda Vincenzo , Di Maio Girolamo , Messina Antonietta 

TITLE=Higher general executive functions predicts lower body mass index by mitigating avoidance behaviors

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Endocrinology

VOLUME=Volume 13 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/endocrinology/articles/10.3389/fendo.2022.1048363

DOI=10.3389/fendo.2022.1048363

ISSN=1664-2392

ABSTRACT=Background: The present study examines the relationship between obesity, executive functions, and body image in a nonclinical sample from southern Italy. 
Methods: General executive functioning (Frontal Assessment Battery–15), and Body image disturbances (Body Uneasiness Test) were assessed in a sample including 287 participants (155 females, M age=43.51 years, SD = 17.94, range = 18–86 years). 
Findings: Multiple Linear Regression Analysis indicated that age, years of education, FAB15 score, Body image concerns, and Avoidance negatively predicted BMI. A subsequent mediation analysis highlighted that the indirect effect of FAB15 on BMI through Avoidance was statistically significant. 
Interpretation: Our results suggest that executive function significative affect BMI. Still, we found that the avoidance dimension partially mediates the dynamics of such a relationship