Personality traits associated with Healthy Diet and Obesity: A systematic review

Abstract

Abstract Objective This study aimed to examine the association between personality traits and either dietary behaviour or weight-related outcomes. Methods A systematic review guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Statement was conducted through Scopus, PubMed and PsychInfo databases. Studies were included if they used a facet of personality that we were confidently able to map to a Big Five dimension. Results A total of 21 studies were eligible for inclusion. Most studies that reported a measure of association found a result that was statistically insignificant at the 5% level. In studies where the result was statistically significant, Extraversion, Openness, Agreeableness and Conscientiousness were almost always positively associated with healthy dietary behaviour and negatively associated with fat consumption, eating problems, obesity and measures of unhealthy weight across all the populations. Four studies found statistically significant results in the opposite direction. Neuroticism was associated with unhealthy behaviours or weight problems. Conclusions and Implications The Big-Five-model is an adequate instrument to measure the relationship between personality and diet. Healthy dietary behaviour tends to be associated with more pro-social personality characteristics, whereas poor weight control could be linked with Neuroticism. These results suggest there may be some benefit from using psychological traits to personalise interventions aimed at improving nutrition. Key messages There may be some benefit from using psychological traits to personalise interventions aimed at improving nutrition. Another interesting line of research may take account of the role of peer-effects and role-models in promoting healthy or unhealthy behaviour across social networks.