At this more circumscribed facet-level, the cross-sectional findings in the current study were similar to those from a large sample from Sardinia, Italy (Terracciano et al., 2009). Specifically, the strongest positive association with weight in both studies was with N5: Impulsiveness, whereas the strongest negative association in both studies was with C2: Order: Those who are unable to resist temptation and have a difficult time following regular meal rhythms may find it more difficult to maintain a healthy weight. In addition, other facets of personality most consistently related to different measures of adiposity in the Sardinian sample were also apparent in the current sample, including E3: Assertiveness, E4: Activity, and C5: Self-Discipline. This consistency across studies is remarkable, given the cultural and demographic differences between participants in the two samples: the Sardinian sample is drawn from a rural population with relatively lower education, whereas participants from the BLSA sample are from a major urban center and are generally well-educated. This consistency suggests that many associations between personality and adiposity transcend sample and cultural differences.
