A new study, published in Nutrients found a link between impulsive personality and a high body mass index (BMI).
The study finds that the food choices a person makes and their weight is actually affected by their personality.
According to the researchers impulsivity is a tendency to react without regard to consequence, something akin to having a burger just because one sees it.
The study, that tested more than 500,000 people and those who rated high on impulsiveness had a harder time resisting temptations and would most likely overeat.
While there are multiple personality types associated with impulsive behaviours, other studies show high neuroticism and low conscientiousness are associated with weight gain and aspects of impulsivity, which includes lack of self-discipline.
According to co-author of the study Dr Sinead Golley, if one is frustrated by unsuccessful weight loss attempts, having a better understanding of their personal triggers and diet patterns can be the crucial piece of the puzzle.
However, there are a few steps one can undertake to help manage their personality and avoid over eating.
Luckily, there are several steps you can take to help manage your personality when all you want to do is eat.
Firstly, if one finds that a stressful day at office means a remedy of hot chocolate or bottle of wine to cheer up, they can introduce other coping mechanisms in their lives other than food. Activities such as a phone call with a friend or a leisurely walk in the sunshine can go a long way.
For many, overeating stems from anxiety. If a person finds themselves overeating, probably they are trying to divert the self from feeling anxious. Mindless eating lead to weight gain and depression.
Being kind to the self is also important. It’s important to “tune in” and recognise your patterns of thinking in relation to weight and identify the unhelpful patterns which are maintaining your current weight problems.
Accepting flaws too rank high in trying to lose weight. With a higher level of self-acceptance, one is more likely to eat healthily, intuitively or mindfully.
