Personality and weight management in adults with type 2 diabetes: A systematic review

Abstract

AimsManaging weight in the context of type 2 diabetes presents unique hormonal, medicinal, behavioural and psychological challenges. The relationship between weight management and personality has previously been reviewed for general and cardiovascular disease populations but is less well understood in diabetes. This systematic review investigated the relationship between personality constructs and weight management outcomes and behaviours among adults with type 2 diabetes.MethodsMedline, PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO and SPORTDiscus databases were searched to July 2021. Eligibility: empirical quantitative studies; English language; adults with type 2 diabetes; investigation of personality-weight management association. Search terms included variants of: diabetes, physical activity, diet, body mass index (BMI), adiposity, personality constructs and validated scales. A narrative synthesis, with quality assessment, was conducted.ResultsSeventeen studies were identified: nine cross-sectional, six cohort and two randomised controlled trials (N=6,672 participants, range: 30-1,553). Three studies had a low risk of bias. Personality measurement varied. The Big Five and Type D personality constructs were the most common measures. Higher emotional instability (neuroticism, negative affect, anxiety, unmitigated communion and external locus of control) was negatively associated with healthy diet and physical activity, and positively associated with BMI. Conscientiousness had positive associations with healthy diet and physical activity and negative associations with BMI and anthropometric indices.ConclusionsAmong adults with type 2 diabetes, evidence exists of a relationship between weight management and personality, specifically, negative emotionality and conscientiousness. Consideration of personality may be important for optimising weight management and further research is warranted.Systematic review registrationwww.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42019111002.

“If I've got to walk up that hill, I don't struggle…, I go harder”: A qualitative study exploring perceptions of the role of personality in weight management among adults with type 2 diabetes

“…In contrast, asking participants to apply their understanding of personality to weight management may require a level of self-re ection within a context that has not been attempted before. Given our ndings and the emerging relationship between personality and weight management in type 2 diabetes [14], a better understanding of personality-weight management dynamics may bene t this population. Indeed, from general population research, self-awareness is a factor in weight loss, potentially through more deliberate consideration of health behaviors, reduced emotional distress or heightened somatosensory regulation [17,28].…”

“…In the rst published systematic review of the relationship between personality and weight management in type 2 diabetes (including 17 studies), we identi ed ndings consistent with other health conditions, i.e. important associations with conscientiousness, neuroticism and negative affectivity [14]. Subsequently, applying the HEXACO in a cross-sectional survey of Australian adults with type 2 diabetes, we identi ed that physical activity correlated with conscientiousness, extraversion and openness, while healthy eating correlated with extraversion, agreeableness and honesty-humility (in press).…”

“…Research has only recently identi ed clear and consistent weak-to-moderate relationships between personality and weight management behaviors in type 2 diabetes, namely for conscientiousness and traits characterized by negative emotions [14]. There has been limited qualitative focus on understanding the role of personality in weight management and/or type 2 diabetes, however some relevant comparisons can be drawn from the broader literature.…”

Psychosocial markers of pre‐hospital delay in patients with diabetic foot: A cross‐sectional survey

“…Therefore, caregivers should identify patients with low utilization of social support as a high-risk group for delayed ac- Type D personality combines negative affectivity (the tendency to experience negative emotions) and social inhibition (inhibiting self-expression in social interaction). It is associated with poor diet, smoking, physical inactivity, obesity, non-compliance with medical care, inadequate consultation behaviour, lower levels of social support and more negative illness perception (Geerling et al, 2022;Nefs et al, 2015;Spek et al, 2018;Torgersen et al, 2023), leading to poor outcomes. However, DF care relies heavily on the management of long-term self-health behaviours.…”

Association of Personality Traits and Self-Care Behaviors in People With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Overall, this study underscores the influence of personality traits on health-related behaviors, significantly impacting an individual's ability to manage their well-being through lifestyle choices and self-care practices. Past studies have consistently highlighted the role of personality in shaping health behaviors and influencing the management of health status through lifestyle and self-care [ 17 , 71 , 73 ]. The health-related behaviors and personal health choices of individuals with T2DM are also influenced by their personality traits [ 73 , 74 ].…”