Learning Objectives

After completion of this module students will be able to:

• Explore the obesity–brain health relationship.
• Discuss research methods related to studying physical activity and cognitive functioning.
• Identify the role of brain health research in transdisciplinary obesity research.

Key Concepts

• School environments are contributing to physical inactivity and the accompanying increase in sedentary behaviors.
• Higher levels of aerobic fitness boost brain activity and cognition.
• Studies have shown that more fit children outperform less fit peers on tests of cognition including attention and memory.
• Higher levels of aerobic fitness and physical activity benefit brain structure, brain function, cognition, and school achievement.
• Aerobic fitness in children has been associated with a variety of cognitive outcomes for children, including math achievement, memory, and cognitive control.

Video Microlectures

• Video: Aerobic Fitness, Physical Activity, and Brain Health in Children
  Dr. Laura Chaddock-Heyman, Beckman Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Optional Readings

• Chaddock, L., Hillman, C. H., Buck, S. M., & Cohen, N. J. (2011). Aerobic fitness and executive control of relational memory in preadolescent children. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 43, 344-349.