Here’s some health news that gives a new twist to the battle of the bulge: researchers from the U.S. National Institute on Aging found that people who are impulsive, cynical, competitive or aggressive were more likely to be overweight. Not only that — but also those who are high-strung and less conscientious are likely to see their weight go through many ups and downs.
For the study, the NIA researchers examined data compiled over 50 years on nearly 2,000 generally healthy and highly educated people. They then set out to determine how the subjects’ personalities might affect their weight and body mass index.
The participants were assessed on the so-called “big five” personality traits — openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness and neuroticism — as well as 30 subcategories of these traits. They were also weighed and measured over the course of the study.
Which personality traits fared the worse? The study found that those who are impulsive were the most likely to be overweight. People who scored in the top 10% on impulsivity weighed an average of 22 pounds more than those in the bottom 10%, the researchers noted.
Those who were risk takers, antagonistic, cynical, competitive, and aggressive also had greater weight gain, the study showed. On the positive side, the study found that conscientious people are typically thinner and their personality did not trigger changes in weight during adulthood.
Are any of these results ultimately helpful? The research team hopes that by more clearly identifying the association between personality and obesity, more tailored treatments will be developed. For example, previous research has found that impulsive individuals are prone to binge eating and alcohol consumption. If these behavioral patterns contribute to weight gain over time, the best health advice may be to get therapy to modify these thinking patterns.
Get your doctor’s advice if you struggle with weight issues. Remember that sometimes our impulsiveness gets in the way of being able to stay on track and remain disciplined in the face of temptation. There’s nothing wrong with getting a little help in maintaining a healthy diet and a program of physical activity.
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