Comparing cognitive and impulsive processes in obese and non-obese people

Introduction: Identifying the cognitive and behavioral factors that cause obesity and overweight, as well as the variables that affect the treatment process can help improve the treatment process of obesity and achieve long-term therapeutic results. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study in 2019, 100 female volunteers were selected using the convenient sampling method and divided equally into two groups: overweight and obese individuals and people with normal weight. G*Power software was used to determine the sample size in each group. In each group, positive implicit association, working memory capacity and impulsivity were measured. Results: Results of the univariate analysis of covariance, by controlling the effect of age, showed the effect of group on positive implicit association figures (P=0.59, F=0.28,) and working memory capacity (P=0.74, F=0.10) was not significant. In other words, obese and non-obese groups were not significantly different in terms of positive implicit association, and working memory capacity. However, results were statistically significant for impulsivity variable (P=0.03, F=7.06). Conclusion: The results of this study suggested that impulsivity, as a personality trait, plays a crucial role in the success or failure of dieters. Individuals with high body mass index, who are classified as obese, are more likely to experience impulsivity.