Finally, there may also be longitudinal effects in the other direction. That is, weight may contribute to personality development across adulthood. Indeed, weight has been associated with changes in a variety of psychological states. For example, obese individuals tend to be prone to subsequent depression (Luppino et al., 2010), whereas individuals who lose weight experience improved mood and quality of life (Wadden, Womble, Stunkard, & Anderson, 2002). Weight can be a very physical reminder of one’s failures at control and discipline and individuals who are unable to maintain their desired weight may come to perceive themselves as more impulsive, disorganized, and less disciplined. Similarly, individuals who suffer from anorexia tend to be highly disciplined and controlled (Claes, Vandereycken, & Vertommen, 2005). The discipline and control required to restrict eating may encourage the development of these same characteristics in the individual. To that end, we examine whether adiposity is associated with trait development across adulthood.
