A Visualization Analysis of Hotspots and Frontiers in Obesity-Related Executive Functions Research: A Bibliometric Study

Lili Su; Jing He; Yan Xiao; Xiaorong He; Ruimei Song; Xiaorong Wu; Yunxin Si Tu; Shen Qu

doi:10.15605/jafes.040.02.07

Authors

Lili Su Baoshan Branch of Ren Ji Hospital https://orcid.org/0009-0002-1560-6729
Jing He Shanghai Yangpu Hospital of TCM, Shanghai, China https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5137-5898
Yan Xiao Shanghai Yangpu Hospital of TCM, Shanghai, China
Xiaorong He SinoUnited Health, Shanghai, China
Ruimei Song Tenth Hospital, Tong Ji University, Shanghai, China
Xiaorong Wu Shanghai Jiao Tong University Hospital, Shanghai, China https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5945-908X
Yunxin Si Tu Shanghai Yangpu Hospital of TCM, Shanghai, China
Shen Qu SinoUnited Health, Shanghai, China

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15605/jafes.040.02.07

Keywords:

obesity, executive functions, bibliometric study, working memory, inhibition control, cognitive flexibility

Abstract

Objective. This study aims to provide a visual analysis of the research hotspots and frontiers in the field of obesity-related executive functions using bibliometric methods.

Methodology. The analysis was based on 5,814 English-language documents retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection database. CiteSpace 6.2.R4 software was used to conduct bibliometric analysis. The study examined trends, key contributors, and thematic evolution in obesity-related executive function research over the past decade.

Results. The number of publications in this field has shown a steady linear growth trend, with American institutions and scholars leading research contributions. Current research focuses on the co-occurrence and cluster analysis of keywords and references, as well as on brain-related and cognitive functions. The bibliometric analysis revealed a shift toward topics such as the brain, cognition, executive functions, and the prefrontal cortex in obese individuals, alongside established areas like metabolic syndromes, insulin resistance, diabetes, gut microbiota, and dietary intake.

Conclusion. This study highlights emerging areas for researchers in the field of obesity and executive functions. Future research directions may include deeper exploration of the relationship between obesity and specific components of executive function, such as working memory, inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, and planning.

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Author Biographies

Lili Su, Baoshan Branch of Ren Ji Hospital

Diabetes specialized nurse, Nursing Affairs Office, Baoshan Branch of Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China

Nursing student, Shanghai Tong Ji University, Shanghai, China

Jing He, Shanghai Yangpu Hospital of TCM, Shanghai, China

Nurse manager, Nursing Affairs Office, Shanghai Yangpu Hospital of TCM, Shanghai, China

*The first author of the manuscript is Lili Su and the first co-author is Jing He.

Yan Xiao, Shanghai Yangpu Hospital of TCM, Shanghai, China

Chief Nurse Officer, Nursing Affairs Office, Shanghai Yangpu Hospital of TCM, Shanghai, China

Xiaorong He, SinoUnited Health, Shanghai, China

Department Administrator, Endocrine and Thyroid Center, SinoUnited Health, Shanghai, China

Ruimei Song, Tenth Hospital, Tong Ji University, Shanghai, China

Nurse manager, Hepatological Surgery Department, Tenth Hospital, Tong Ji University, Shanghai, China

Xiaorong Wu, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Hospital, Shanghai, China

Director, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Hospital, Shanghai, China

Yunxin Si Tu, Shanghai Yangpu Hospital of TCM, Shanghai, China

Nurse manager, Gastroenterology Department, Shanghai Yangpu Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China

Shen Qu, SinoUnited Health, Shanghai, China

Department Head, Endocrine and Thyroid Center, SinoUnited Health, Shanghai, China

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