Your personality can influence your rate of weight gain and loss, says a study published by the American Psychological Association. The researchers, who came from the National Institute of Aging, examined associations between the personality traits and weight and body mass index of 1,988 people over an extended period of time. According to the results, "study participants who scored in the top 10 percent on impulsivity weighed an average of 22 lbs. more than those in the bottom 10 percent."
"Previous research has found that impulsive individuals are prone to binge eating and alcohol consumption," Dr. Angelina R. Sutin, one of the lead researchers, says. "These behavioral patterns may contribute to weight gain over time."
Among other study participants who tended to gain more weight were those who were "cynical, competitive, and aggressive." Meanwhile, those who were conscientious were generally slim.
"The pathway from personality traits to weight gain is complex and probably includes physiological mechanisms, in addition to behavioral ones," Dr. Sutin is quoted as saying. "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."
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