The inner "you" may determine the number of kilos or pounds that will get added to your weight. In other words, your personality traits may determine your body weight. Researchers at the U.S. National Institute on Aging have suggested that skepticism, recklessness and aggression can make you overweight while you may see ups and downs in your weight if you are neurotic and if you are careless.
Researchers opine that individuals with these traits are more likely to surrender themselves to temptation. According to them, these researchers lack the commitment to stick to goals when they are frustrated or when they find difficulties. Highly impulsive people are believed to lack the discipline to follow a healthy diet and a regular exercise regime, both of which are essential for maintaining a healthy body weight.
The study was based on data collected over 50 years on around 2000 healthy and educated people. The study intended to find out the effects of personality traits on weight and body mass index. Five personality traits- extraversion, openness, neuroticism, agreeableness and conscientiousness were the subjects of assessment. The study participants had to undergo weight measurements throughout the study period.
People in the top 10 percent of impulsivity were found to found to weigh 22 pounds more than those in the bottom 10 percent list. Impulsive people have been found to indulge in binge eating and in drinking alcohol and these habits lead to weight gain in due course of time.
On the other side, conscientious individuals were found to be thinner and their weight did not induce personality changes after they became adult. Researchers believe that customized treatments may be developed on the basis of this association between personality and obesity.
