Personality Trait

Is it possible that your personality can make you put on pounds?

A growing body of research is finding association between personality traits and habits that can lead to obesity. The link between emotions, food and weight control can begin at a very early age and untangling emotions about food may be effective for long term weight management. It is said that changing our thinking allows you to change your behavior. So what are some of these personality traits?

Personality Trait #1: “Night Owl” the individual that is often sleep deprived driving down the levels of the hormone that signals fullness (leptin) and driving up the hormone that fuels appetite (ghrelin). Night owls also tend to skip breakfast – maybe sleep through breakfast and snack through the night! Even the healthy person who has short-term sleep deprivation can begin to process sugar as if they were diabetic.

What is the fix? Perhaps forgo caffeine after noon, keep lights, TV and other electronics low in the evening and schedule those “can’t miss” appointments very early. Simply declaring the kitchen off limits after 9pm may help to reduce the appeal of staying up through the night. Often we eat because we think it helps us to stay awake when what we really need is a good night sleep.

Personality Trait #2: “Stress Junkie” or the person who strives on competition and deadline pressure driven by adrenalin and cortisol. These are stress hormones that supply quick bursts of energy for fight or flight but when unyielding can lead to health problems including obesity. How does this work? Cortisol stimulates a brain chemical called neuropeptide Y which boosts carbohydrate cravings along with making the body produce excess insulin and accumulate fat (especially around the middle – the Apple!) This location of fat accumulation raises the risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke and other diseases. Chronic stress often requires food for energy, comfort and the rationalization that “I’ve earned it!”

How do we fix this? The absolute BEST way to burn off excess cortisol is exercise! And then, anything that will pamper, relax or distracts you can serve as a reward. Remember….what you deserve is to feel good in your clothes!

Personality Trait #3: “The Mindless Multitasker” or the habitual work, read, drive, watch TV or anything else while eating….and eating more than we realize! Few of us overeat because we are hungry.

What is the fix? Not be mindless? Perhaps….but operationalize this by keeping track of everything you eat for several days then make a commitment to give your food full attention. Eat slowly, assess your fullness between each bite and you will likely eat far less. There are great books available about mindful eating.

Personality Trait #4: “The Giver” those who constantly place other people ahead of themselves often with the result of emotional depletion and seeking food as solace. Food signals comfort and love and is not a burden to others and it is close! Generally it does not fill the void so givers keep eating more.

The fix: Begin to identify new ways to take care of yourself, set reasonable limits on your time and energy. Always carve out that “me” time and vent frustrations or unpleasant emotions in a journal or mirror. This tends to scatter the emotions faster than food!

Personality Trait #5: “The Perfectionist” is much like the giver. They drive themselves toward precision and faultlessness and use food as the emotional outlet to relieve the pressure. Many set themselves up for failure with unsustainable weight and fitness goals. This personality trait is often at the root of eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia, binge eating). It is all or nothing and leads to being easily discouraged and again, seeking solace in food.

The fix is setting realistic goals that are sustainable. Do all you can to strive for progress. Healthy eating and maintaining a healthy weight is about the journey. It begins with the first step, recommitting yourself each day and enjoying the ride!