Neural Correlates Underlying General and Food-Related Working Memory in Females with Overweight/Obesity.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Prior research suggest that poor working memory significantly contributes to the growth of overweight and obesity. This study investigated the behavioral and neural aspects of general and food-specific working memory in females with overweight or obesity (OW/OB).

METHOD

A total of 54 female participants, with 26 in the OW/OB group and 28 in the normal-weight (NW) group, completed a general and a food-related two-back task while an EEG was recorded.

RESULTS

In the general task, the OW/OB group showed significantly poorer performance (higher IES) than the NW group ( = 0.018, = 0.10), with reduced theta power during non-target trials ( = 0.040, = 0.08). No group differences were found for P2, N2, or P3 amplitudes. In the food-related task, significant group × stimulus interactions were observed. The OW/OB group showed significantly higher P2 amplitudes in high-calorie (HC) versus low-calorie (LC) food conditions ( = 0.005, = 0.15). LPC amplitudes were greater in the OW/OB group for HC targets ( = 0.036, = 0.09). Alpha power was significantly lower in OW/OB compared to NW in HC non-targets ( = 0.030, = 0.09), suggesting a greater cognitive effort.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that individuals with OW/OB exhibit deficits in general working memory and heightened neural responses to high-calorie food cues, particularly during non-target inhibition. The results suggest an interaction between reward salience and cognitive control mechanisms in obesity.