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Personality and overweight in 6-12-year-old children

S E Hampson1, M E Vollrath2,3, P B Júlíusson4,5

  • 1Oregon Research Institute, Eugene, OR, USA.

Pediatric Obesity
|February 28, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Children

Area of Science:

  • Child psychology
  • Pediatric health
  • Obesity research

Background:

  • Childhood obesity is a growing concern.
  • Personality traits are an understudied factor in pediatric weight status.
  • Understanding personality's role is crucial for intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the relationship between personality traits and weight status in children.
  • To identify specific personality characteristics associated with overweight and obesity in youth.
  • To provide insights into potential psychological mechanisms underlying childhood obesity.

Main Methods:

  • A sample of 1533 children aged 6-12 years was assessed.
  • Mothers completed the Norwegian Hierarchical Personality Inventory for Children (NHPIC).
  • Mothers reported children's height and weight to determine weight status.

Main Results:

  • Overweight children exhibited lower energy, optimism, compliance, concentration, perseverance, and self-confidence compared to normal-weight peers.
  • Overweight children were rated higher on egocentricity, irritability, and anxiety.
  • Specific personality profiles are associated with increased risk of childhood obesity.

Conclusions:

  • Personality traits are significantly associated with childhood weight status.
  • Findings suggest personality may influence the development of childhood obesity.
  • Further research into these personality-obesity links can inform prevention and treatment strategies.
Abstract

Keywords:
Behavioural mechanismschildrenobesitypersonality traits

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