Five-Factor personality traits and dietary guidelines: A multilevel meta-analysis

Past research and conceptualizations of dietary behavior have included many candidate correlates and causes, including personality traits (Lunn et al., 2014). The present research, informed by cybernetic big five theory, clarifies associations between Five-Factor personality traits and dietary behaviors defined by government guidelines (U.S. Department of Agriculture and National Institutes of Health, 2020; World Health Organization, 2020).

Preregistered meta-analyses were conducted across the Big Five traits and seven dietary categories using correlated and hierarchical effects models and robust variance estimation. Metaregression was used to test the moderating effects of age, sex, and obesity of sample nations.

Agreeableness, conscientiousness, extraversion, and openness were positively associated with healthy eating and the consumption of fruits and vegetables, whereas neuroticism was negatively associated. Agreeableness and openness were positively associated with the consumption of whole grains and fiber. Agreeableness and conscientiousness were negatively associated with the consumption of sodium. Metaregression results showed the association between openness and healthy eating was stronger for samples with mean ages greater than 30 years.

The results provide clarity regarding small but reliable associations between Big Five traits and dietary behaviors aligned with formal guidelines. To improve precision for integrative disposition-belief-motivation investigations (cf. Vo & Bogg, 2015), future research should test associations between lower order traits and assessments of diet that are less subject to the biases of retrospective self-reports. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).