The findings suggest people with high neuroticism and low conscientiousness are likely to go through cycles of gaining and losing weight throughout their lives. Conscientious participants tended to be leaner and weight did not contribute to changes in personality across adulthood.
Researchers from the National Institute on Aging examined 50 years of data from a longitudinal study of 1,988 people to determine how personality traits are associated with weight and body mass index. They found impulsivity was the strongest predictor of who would be overweight. Participants who scored in the top 10% on impulsivity weighed an average of 22 pounds more than those in the bottom 10%.
“Individuals with this constellation of traits tend to give in to temptation and lack the discipline to stay on track amid difficulties or frustration," the researchers said. “To maintain a healthy weight, it is typically necessary to have a healthy diet and a sustained program of physical activity, both of which require commitment and restraint. Such control may be difficult for highly impulsive individuals."
“We hope that by more clearly identifying the association between personality and obesity, more tailored treatments will be developed. For example, lifestyle and exercise interventions that are done in a group setting may be more effective for extroverts than for introverts," they said.
Sources:
- American Psychological Association: Personality Plays Role in Body Weight, According to Study
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