Since recent systematic reviews have shown that physical exercise can prevent cognitive impairment in obese subjects30,31 and there was a potential link between improved exercise-related cognitive outcomes and BDNF enhancement,32, 33, 34, 35 we hypothesized that exercise would increase BDNF levels in people with overweight and obesity. This evidence concerns the gene BDNF and obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.