Relationship between body composition, executive functions and self-regulation of eating habits in university students: an analysis with a gender perspective

Abstract

To evaluate associations between body composition, executive functions, and self-regulation of eating habits, and to explore whether the multivariate pattern of performance differs by gender in university students. The sample included 91 students. Body composition, executive functions, and self-regulation of eating habits were assessed. Correlations between variables were examined using Spearman correlations with FDR correction. The organization of the multivariate structure was explored using NMDS, and overall differences between genders were evaluated using PERMANOVA. A high prevalence of overweight was observed (84.6%). Greater skeletal muscle mass (SMM) was reported in men, and a higher of body fat percentage (BFP) in women. Higher BFF correlated modestly with lower accuracy and longer times on working memory tests, while SMM correlated negatively with errors and times on working memory tests. No significant associations were observed between self-regulation of eating habits and executive functions. The NMDS analysis suggested opposite orientations of the BFP and SMM vectors in the ordering space. PERMANOVA indicated that sex explained only a modest proportion of the variance in executive function performance, with the greatest contribution observed in response times. Body composition was modestly associated with executive functions, particularly with completion times of working memory. Multivariate analyses suggested modest sex-related differences, mainly in response times, with considerable overlap between groups. Longitudinal studies with covariates (physical activity, sleep, diet, stress) are needed to clarify mechanisms and directionality. Level of evidence: Level V, descriptive cross-sectional study.