Excess Body Weight and Self-Perceived Executive Functions in Peruvian University Students, 2025; [Excesso de peso corporal e autopercepção das funções executivas em estudantes universitários peruanos, 2025]

Ñahui Rojas H.; Casimiro Urcos J.; Avilés Oré S.; Casimiro Urcos N.; Tarazona Martínez E. · Journal of Sport and Health Research (2026) · DOI: 10.58727/jshr.121420

Resumen

Objectives: To establish the association between excess body weight and self-perception of executive functions in Peruvian university students in 2025. Materials and methods: This quantitative, correlational study used simple random probabilistic sampling. The sample consisted of 123 Peruvian university students between 17 and 25 years of age. The EFECO instrument was used to measure selfperception of executive functions, and BMI was used to measure excess weight, following the protocols established by the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK). Results: It was found that self-perception of initiative is directly correlated with BMI (rho = 0,377**; p = 0,006), in the same way self-perception of working memory with BMI (rho = 0,292*; p = 0,037) and in general, self-perception of EF and BMI showed a significant and direct relationship (rho = 0,278*; p = 0,048). Discussion: The results are similar to those already reported in the scientific literature and are consistent with research that has found a relationship between executive dysfunction and structural and biochemical elements in the brain altered by excess weight. Conclusions: A weak but statistically significant direct relationship was observed between excess weight and self-perception of executive functions. A statistically significant direct relationship was also observed between excess weight and self-perception of initiative, as well as with self-perception of working memory.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal; Universidad Nacional de Educación Enrique Guzmán y Valle; Universidad Peruana Unión