Diabetes Health in the News: The Connection Between Obesity and Decision Making

Individuals who are obese or morbidly obese tend to make decisions that are riskier than those who fall into a normal weight range, a study by the Service de Psychiatrie d’Adultes, Groupe Hospitalier Pitie-Salpetriere in Paris shows. This study looked at 612 patients, 362 of whom were classified as non-obese and 250 of whom were considered obese. Participants were between age 14.3 and 52.2. The BMI of those classified as obese was between 30.8 and 42.2.

This study looked at other studies in which participants were given a number of scenarios. Some of these scenarios included contingency plans that were explained in detail. Other scenarios were more ambiguous and did not provide contingency information. In both types of tests, those who fell into the obese categories overall made decisions that were considered to be riskier. While not conclusive, this study does indicate that there is a link between obesity and poor decision making.

These findings were published in Obesity Reviews on April 21, 2017.