A new study has linked personality traits with weight loss success.
The findings published in the journal BioPsychoSocial Medicine suggest that individuals with high levels of self-orientation and optimism were less likely to lose weight than those who needed counseling to improve their self-awareness.
Researchers in Japan psychologically profiled more than 100 obese patients for the study. All participants underwent counseling, nutrition and exercise therapy for six months.
The results suggest that negative emotions can have a positive effect on behavior modification because patients care more about their disease. On the other hand, although an optimistic outlook wasnt helpful for initial weight loss, it was found to be important to maintaining the lifestyle and results acquired at the clinic.
While modifying patients personalities through counseling was found to be important for weight loss, the scientists say its just a part of the overall equation. “The weight loss should be attributed not simply to the intervention of the clinical psychologists but to the total effect of the intervention of a holistic medical care team,” said the studys authors.
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