Self-Control and Unhealthy Body Weight: The Role of Impulsivity and Restraint
Survey
HILDA
Author(s)
Date Issued
2022-01
Keywords
Brief Self-Control Scale
Obesity
Body Mass Index
Diet
Exercise
Abstract
We examine the relationship between trait self-control and body weight. Data from a population representative household survey reveal that limited self-control is strongly associated with both objective and subjective measures of unhealthy body weight. Those with limited self-control are characterized by reduced exercising, repeated dieting, unhealthier eating habits, and poorer nutrition. We propose an empirical method to isolate two facets of self-control limitations-high impulsivity and low restraint. Each has differential predictive power. Physical activity, dieting, and overall body weight are more strongly associated with restraint; impulsivity is more predictive of when, where, and what people eat.
URI (Link)
External resource (Link)
ISBN
ISSN 2190-9938 (online) / ISBN 978-3-86304-375-9
Type
Reports and technical papers
