title: Behavioural support of a proposed neurocognitive connection between physical activity and improved eating behaviour in obese women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  An explanation of the association between physical activity and improved eating behaviours has recently been posited via the effect of physical activity on executive functions of the brain resulting in a reduction in the hedonic drive to overeat. Decomposition and clarification of embedded relationship through a behavioural/psychological framework was sought.
  
  
  METHODS
  Changes in theory-based psychosocial factors over 26 weeks were tested with 134 severely obese women (age 41.7±10.4 years) initiating a physical activity support treatment. Mediation and reciprocal effects analyses incorporating these changes were then computed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant improvements in mood, self-regulation for eating, and self-efficacy for controlled eating were found. Emanating from mood change, a reciprocal relationship between changes in the self-regulation and self-efficacy measures was found. Thus, each factor reinforced the other's change.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings suggest a convergence of neurocognitively and behaviourally based explanations of the relations of physical activity and controlled eating. Implications for behavioural weight-loss theory and treatments were suggested.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Promotion and Physical Education, Kennesaw State University, USA; Wellness Department, YMCA of Metro Atlanta, USA. Electronic address: jamesa@ymcaatlanta.org.
authors.forename: James J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Annesi
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Promotion and Physical Education, Kennesaw State University, USA.
authors.forename: Kandice J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Porter
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003071:Cognition; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D009765:Obesity / Q000628:therapy*; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012927:Social Control, Informal
keywords: Behavioural; Eating behaviour; Neurocognitive; Obesity; Physical activity