Research
Adherence
High neuroticism and impulsivity are risk factors for obesity, while high conscientiousness and self-control act as protective factors against weight gain.
If you struggle with weight, recognize that traits like impulsivity or neuroticism are risk factors, not life sentences. Focus on building self-control skills and regulating internal urges, as these psychological levers directly influence eating behavior and physical activity adherence.
ModerateSupportsMEDIUM confidence
While thus in particular ‘neuroticism’, ‘impulsivity’ and ‘sensitivity to reward’ appear as risk factors, ‘conscientiousness’ and ‘self-control’ have been shown to have a protective function in relation to weight gain.
Why this rating
Based on a systematic review of 70 studies (cross-sectional, longitudinal, clinical), but results are inconsistent across populations and measures.
Source
Personality traits and obesity: a systematic review
Gabriele Gerlach et al. · Obesity Reviews · 2014
DOI 10.1111/obr.12235
systematic_reviewCited 288×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
More from this paper
- Sensitivity to reward and impulsivity are positively correlated with obesity and metabolic syndrome, particularly in specific demographic subgroups.Moderate
- Conscientiousness and self-control are protective factors against weight gain by regulating internal urges and providing control over impulsive behavior.Moderate
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