title: Pathological eating behaviors, BMI, and facet-level traits: the roles of conscientiousness, neuroticism, and impulsivity.
abstract: The current study examined the bivariate and multivariate associations of personality with Body Mass Index (BMI) and several eating behavior inventories, focusing on facets of Neuroticism, Conscientiousness, and Impulsivity. Simultaneous multiple regressions showed that the facets Traditionalism, Urgency, and low Vulnerability were significant predictors of BMI. A factor analysis of the eating behavior scales revealed two dimensions: (a) Food and Body Preoccupation and (b) Cued Eating; Neuroticism, low Conscientiousness, and Perfectionism were significant predictors of both eating behavior factors. In addition, the Depression facet predicted Food and Body Preoccupation, and low Temperance predicted Cued Eating. Implications are discussed for the structure of eating pathology and the specificity of facet traits to eating behaviors and obesity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Notre Dame, 118 Haggar Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA; Department of Psychology, University of Iowa, E11 Seashore Hall, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. Electronic address: slarew@nd.edu.
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ellickson-Larew
authors.forename: Kristin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Naragon-Gainey
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Watson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003463:Cues; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D000075384:Neuroticism; D009765:Obesity; D010551:Personality; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: BMI; Conscientiousness; Eating behaviors; Facets; Impulsivity; Neuroticism