Deakin University
Browse

File(s) under permanent embargo

Does personality affect dietary intake?

journal contribution
posted on 2014-04-01, 00:00 authored by Trevor Lunn, Caryl NowsonCaryl Nowson, Tony WorsleyTony Worsley, Susan TorresSusan Torres
The purpose of this review is to evaluate the evidence for an association between the Big Five dimensions of personality, dietary intake, and compliance to dietary recommendations. Poor diet is a known risk factor for overweight and obesity and associated chronic lifestyle diseases and it has been proposed that personality may be linked to dietary choices. Findings from cross-sectional surveys from different countries and cultures show a positive association between Openness and consumption of fruits and vegetables and between Conscientiousness and healthy eating. Although no evidence has been found that personality dimensions are associated with adherence to dietary recommendations over time, Conscientiousness is associated with a number of prosocial and health-promoting behaviors that include avoiding alcohol-related harm, binge-drinking, and smoking, and adherence to medication regimens. With emerging evidence of an association between higher Conscientiousness and lower obesity risk, the hypothesis that higher Conscientiousness may predict adoption of healthy dietary and other lifestyle recommendations appears to be supported.

History

Journal

Nutrition

Volume

30

Issue

4

Pagination

403 - 409

Publisher

Elsevier

Location

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

ISSN

0899-9007

Language

eng

Publication classification

C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Copyright notice

2014, Elsevier