There is often a close connection between a person’s personality and various psychological disorders, but do you think these traits can cause weight gain?
Personality Types and Weight Gain
The Myers-Briggs test is one of the most popular personality tests available that is used vastly by psychologists to understand an individual’s personality traits.
There are 16 basic personality types that are typically denoted by alphabets. The basic traits include:
- Extroversion (E) or Introversion (I) – Based on where your attention is focused
- Sensing (S) or Intuition (I) – Based on how you accept information
- Thinking (T) or Feeling (F) – Based on how you make a decision
- Judging (J) or Perceiving (P) – Based on your outlook of the world
Studies have found that people with certain trait combinations may be more impulsive than others and that these individuals stand a higher chance of gaining weight because of this impulsiveness. A specific study, of 500,000 individuals, reported that impulsive people may have a higher chance of succumbing to temptations and this could cause a 10 percent increase in weight.
Out of all the personality types, research shows that those with the ESTP type may be the most impulsive and could be more prone to reaching out for sugar-laden and high-calorie foods. It was noticed that people with this trait are connoisseurs of good food and liked to snack more when bored.
Control the Impulses and Curb Weight Gain
Weight loss can be a difficult journey, especially if you have trouble controlling your impulsive eating. But nothing is impossible; here are a few steps to consider when trying to curb your temptations and lose weight:
- Be kind to yourself: Don’t criticize the choices you made in the past, instead focus on the right ones you are going to take in the future. This is an important step because if you start off by being harsh to yourself, it will only lead to further complications like mood disorders that could also lead to eating disorders and weight gain.
- Set reachable goals: Setting realistic goals are important because they provide you with an increased chance of achieving them, in contrast to those that are too far-fetched. Start out by ignoring a box of enticing doughnuts, maybe.
- Understand your triggers: In many instances, hunger is not the only reason why someone eats, it could be a stressful situation at work or a fight with a loved one. Once you know the causes of your emotional binge eating, work toward handling those triggers more efficiently.
- Keep your friends and family informed: Keep your loved ones close because they can provide all the emotional support and encouragement you need to reach your goals.
- Try a detox diet or intermittent fasting: To get started in the right direction, you could challenge the body to a stringent detox diet or intermittent fasting practices that could help you understand your triggers while supporting your weight-loss goals.
- Keep a journal/food log: Being mindful of what you put into your body plays an important role in getting to a healthy weight and even avoiding weight gain. It may also help to note the different emotions you feel, the situations that cause it and your reactions, especially if they are food related.
Weight gain is a common problem and regardless of whether you fall under the ESTP personality type or not, simple lifestyle changes can help you curb weight gain and even promote weight loss.
References
Cole, W. (2018, January 03). The Personality Type Most Likely To Gain Weight (And How To Combat It). Retrieved from https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/personality-type-most-like-to-gain-weight
Fields, J., Storm, S., Park, J., Clark, S., & MBTI. (2018, May 12). Personality and Food – How Your Myers-Briggs® Type Impacts Your Diet. Retrieved from https://www.psychologyjunkie.com/2017/03/27/myers-briggs-personality-type-impact-eat/
You Can Take The Myers Briggs Personality Test Free On These Websites. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/general/you-can-take-the-myers-briggs-personality-test-free-on-these-websites/
