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Relationships between restrained eating and personality and self-esteem
John B Nezlek1,2, Catherine A Forestell2
1Center for Climate Action and Social Transformations (4CAST), Institute of Psychology, SWPS University, Warsaw, Poland.
Plos One
|November 26, 2024
Summary
Restrained eating is linked to higher extraversion, conscientiousness, and neuroticism in college students. This behavior also shows a stronger negative association with self-esteem in women, particularly those without obesity.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Behavioral Science
- Health Psychology
Background:
- Restrained eating, a key factor in dietary behaviors, is influenced by various psychological elements.
- Understanding the interplay between personality traits, self-esteem, and eating patterns is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the associations between restrained eating, personality traits, and self-esteem in a large undergraduate sample.
- To explore potential moderating effects of gender and obesity on these relationships.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ) for restrained eating, the Big Five Inventory (BFI-44) for personality, and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale.
- Employed ordinary least squares multiple linear regression and moderation analyses on data from 4382 US undergraduates (mean age = 18.9 years).
Main Results:
- Restrained eating positively correlated with extraversion, conscientiousness, and neuroticism.
- No significant relationship was found between restrained eating and agreeableness or openness.
- The negative correlation between restrained eating and self-esteem was more pronounced in women than men. Moderation analysis indicated that the link between neuroticism and restrained eating differed between women with and without obesity.
Conclusions:
- Personality traits, particularly extraversion, conscientiousness, and neuroticism, are significantly associated with restrained eating behaviors.
- Self-esteem and specific personality-trait associations with restrained eating exhibit gender-based differences, highlighting the need for tailored interventions.
- Findings enhance understanding of individual differences in dietary behaviors and inform psychological approaches to eating disorders.
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