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01-09-2021 | Mood Disorders | Original Paper

Personality and Body Mass Index in U.S. Military Veterans: Results from the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study

Authors: Elina A. Stefanovics, Laurie M. Edwards, Robert H. Pietrzak

Published in: Psychiatric Quarterly | Issue 3/2021

Abstract

The relationship between the “Big 5” personality dimensions and body mass index (BMI) were examined in a nationally representative sample (National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study) of male and female U.S. military veterans. Multivariable analyses were conducted to evaluate gender-specific associations between personality factors and BMI. Among male veterans, greater extraversion was associated with higher BMI, (β = 0.18), while lower conscientiousness (β = −0.18), agreeableness (β = −0.18), and emotional stability (β = −0.17) were associated with lower BMI. Among female veterans, only greater consciousness was associated with lower BMI. These associations were robust to effects of age, physical activity, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder. The “Big 5” personality dimensions are differentially associated with BMI in male and female veterans. While conscientiousness was associated with lower BMI in both male and female veterans, three additional personality dimensions were linked to BMI in male veterans. Implications of these findings for obesity management are discussed.

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Title: Personality and Body Mass Index in U.S. Military Veterans: Results from the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study
Authors: Elina A. Stefanovics
Laurie M. Edwards
Robert H. Pietrzak
Publication date: 01-09-2021
Publisher: Springer US
Keywords: Mood Disorders
Affective Disorder
Published in: Psychiatric Quarterly / Issue 3/2021
Print ISSN: 0033-2720
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6709
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11126-020-09878-4

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Personality and Body Mass Index in U.S. Military Veterans: Results from the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study

Abstract

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Abstract

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