Isfahan University of Medical Sciences

Science Communicator Platform

Stay connected! Follow us on X network (Twitter):
Share this content! By
The Effects of Nuts Intake on Cognitive and Executive Function in Obese Children: A Randomized Clinical Trial Publisher Pubmed



F Sheikhi FATEMEH ; A Bagheri AMIR ; R Amani REZA ; Aa Foroughi Ali AKBAR ; M Moradinazar MEHDI ; M Samadi MEHNOOSH
Authors

Source: Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition Published:2025


Abstract

Background: Childhood obesity is a significant, worldwide challenge disrupting various body organs including the brain. Studies suggest that nuts, rich in nutritional compounds, can improve cognitive function. This study aimed to investigate the effects of consuming nuts on improving cognitive and executive function in obese children. Methods: In this randomized parallel clinical trial, ninety 8 to 10-year-old girls with obesity were divided into intervention (30 g of nuts/daily) and control groups (no nuts) for 8 weeks. Furthermore, the Wechsler Four (WISC-IV) questionnaire assessed children’s cognitive function, and executive function was assessed by the behavior rating inventory of executive function (BRIEF) parental questionnaire. Linear mixed-effect models were done to survey the effects of nut intake on cognitive and executive function. Results: Forty people with a mean age of 9 ± 0.7 years from each group cooperated to the end of the study. The intervention group showed a significant improvement in the total Wechsler score (differences: 23.1, 95% CI: 17.5, 28.7; PTime×Group < 0.001) and total BRIEF score (differences: − 16.5, 95% CI: − 29.4, − 3.5; PTime×Group < 0.05) compared to the control group. Moreover, other components of the Wechsler and BRIEF tests including picture completion, picture concept, block design, object assembly, short-term memory, digit span, inhibition, displacement, initiation, and organization were significantly improved in the nuts group compared to the control group after the 8th weeks. Conclusion: These results underline the potential of nut consumption as a dietary intervention to improve cognitive function over an eight-week period, highlighting its role in supporting brain health and cognitive development of obese children. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
Related Docs
View other Related Docs
1. The Effect of Consuming Nuts on Cognitive Function: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials, Frontiers in Nutrition (2024)
2. Association Between Nuts Consumption and Abdominal Obesity, Overweight and Obesity in Female Adolescents: An Epidemiological Study, Iranian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism (2013)
3. Evaluating the Association Between the Mediterranean-Dash Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (Mind) Diet, Mental Health, and Cardio-Metabolic Risk Factors Among Individuals With Obesity, BMC Endocrine Disorders (2023)
Experts (# of related papers)
View all Related Experts
Roya Kelishadi (5)
Nizal Sarrafzadegan (2)
Other Related Docs
4. Factors Associated With the Metabolic Syndrome in a National Sample of Youths: Caspian Study, Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases (2008)
5. Comparison of Dietary and Physical Activity Patterns Among Obese Children and Adolescents With or Without Metabolic Syndrome, Scientific Journal of Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences (2010)
6. The Effect of a Social Cognitive Theory-Based Intervention on Fast Food Consumption Among Students, Iranian Journal of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (2018)
7. Long-Term Association of Nut Consumption and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors, Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases (2019)
8. Controlling Childhood Obesity: A Systematic Review on Strategies and Challenges, Journal of Research in Medical Sciences (2014)
9. Comparison of Dietary Intake and Anthropometric Indicators of Autistic and Non-Autistic Children, Annals of Tropical Medicine and Public Health (2018)
10. Association of Legumes and Nuts Consumption With Metabolic Health Status in Iranian Overweight And Obese Adolescents, Scientific Reports (2023)
11. Long-Term Nuts Intake and Metabolic Syndrome: A 13-Year Longitudinal Population-Based Study, Clinical Nutrition (2019)
12. Promoting Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Among Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial Based on Social Cognitive Theory, Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association (2013)
13. Familial Aggregation of the Components of Metabolic Syndrome, Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences (2012)
14. The Association Between Dietary Acid Load and Risk of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Case-Control Study, Child Neuropsychology (2023)
15. Nutritional Knowledge, Practice, and Dietary Habits Among School Children and Adolescents, International Journal of Preventive Medicine (2014)
16. The Association Between Dietary Polyphenol Intake and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Case-Control Study, BMC Pediatrics (2022)
17. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Most Common Processed Foods Consumed by Iranian Children; [Examen Systematique Et Meta-Analyse Des Aliments Transformes/Ultratransformes Les Plus Couramment Consommes Par Les Enfants Iraniens], Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal (2021)
18. Ultra-Processed Food Intake in Relation to Metabolic Health Status in Iranian Adolescents With Overweight and Obesity, Nutrition and Metabolism (2024)
19. The Effect of a Comprehensive Intervention on Anthropometric Indices, Dietary Intake, and Physical Activity of Adolescent Boys With Overweight, BMC Pediatrics (2025)
20. The Association Between Dietary Acid Load and Adiposity Measures Among Children and Adolescents, BMC Pediatrics (2022)