Relationship between obesity and working memory in students at a Peruvian university
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v71.114600Keywords:
Obesity, working memory, college student, brainAbstract
Introduction: Working memory is essential for learning processes, and problems such as obesity what could affect it, producing a decrease in this important cognitive function.
Objective: To determine the relationship between obesity and working memory in students at a Peruvian university in 2024.
Methodology: The study used a quantitative approach and correlational design. The sample consisted of 141 students from the Faculty of Education between the ages from 18 to 34. Participated 47 men and 94 women. The instruments used to assess obesity were an ONROM BF511 scale and a SECCA-216 stadiometer. To estimate working memory, a questionnaire was used with adapted tests from the Wechsler Scale with an Aiken V = .9387, the adapted active visual pattern test with a V = 1.0 and the central executive component through the numbers and colors test with a V = .9861.
Results: A low (rho = -.229) but significant (p < .05) inverse correlation was observed between working memory and obesity. No significant relationship was found between obesity and the phonological component, the visuospatial agenda, or the central executive component (p > .05).
Discussion: The study contrasted levels of obesity and working memory, finding similarities with Peruvian studies and divergences with international research.
Conclusions: There is a low and inverse relationship between obesity and working memory in students from the Faculty of Education at a Peruvian university.
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