<p>A systematic meta-analysis of the relationship between IQ and obesity (Yu, Han, Cao and Guo, 2010) suggested that lower IQ in childhood was associated with later adult obesity via educational level. No evidence of a relationship between IQ and obesity was found for adults.</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Our study and review of the literature overall suggests that there are inverse FIQ/obesity associations, except in pre-school children. <strong>However, after adjusting for educational attainment, this FIQ/obesity association became null</strong>. In the present study, a lower IQ score in childhood is associated with obesity in later adulthood; this relationship is perhaps mediated via educational attainment in later life.</p>
</blockquote>

<h2>References</h2>

<ul>
<li>Yu, Z. B., Han, S. P., Cao, X. G., &amp; Guo, X. R. (2010). Intelligence in relation to obesity: a systematic review and meta‐analysis. Obesity reviews, 11(9), 656-670.</li>
</ul>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-05-07T16:07:12.577Z
2015-05-07T16:13:03.220Z
2015-05-07T16:13:03.220Z
Christian Hummeluhr
<p>Does being fat or thin have any significant effect on cognition? For example, I have observed some very fat people who are extremely intelligent and some very thin people that are not and vice versa. John von Neumann was fat and very smart. Are there any studies on this? </p>

<intelligence>
Is there a relationship between body composition and intelligence?
intelligentguy122
# Is there a relationship between body composition and intelligence?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-05-07)

Does being fat or thin have any significant effect on cognition? For example, I have observed some very fat people who are extremely intelligent and some very thin people that are not and vice versa. John von Neumann was fat and very smart. Are there any studies on this?

**Tags:** intelligence


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2015-05-07. Score: 7

A systematic meta-analysis of the relationship between IQ and obesity (Yu, Han, Cao and Guo, 2010) suggested that lower IQ in childhood was associated with later adult obesity via educational level. No evidence of a relationship between IQ and obesity was found for adults.

> Our study and review of the literature overall suggests that there are inverse FIQ/obesity associations, except in pre-school children. **However, after adjusting for educational attainment, this FIQ/obesity association became null**. In the present study, a lower IQ score in childhood is associated with obesity in later adulthood; this relationship is perhaps mediated via educational attainment in later life.

## References

* Yu, Z. B., Han, S. P., Cao, X. G., & Guo, X. R. (2010). Intelligence in relation to obesity: a systematic review and meta‐analysis. Obesity reviews, 11(9), 656-670.


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