Identifying the trait profile associated with abnormal weight may help to inform future intervention research. Although personality traits are considered basic tendencies that are resistant to change, the expression of these traits, or their characteristic adaptations, is modifiable. As such, interventions that aim to modify characteristic adaptations may be the most effective. For example, individuals high on impulsivity and low on Conscientiousness may benefit most from interventions that stress menu planning and regular meal schedules. In addition, knowing an individual’s full trait profile will help with differential treatment planning. Interventions that take into account individual differences in preferences for exercise setting, motives, and potential barriers to success may achieve better treatment outcomes. For example, lifestyle and exercise interventions that are done in a group setting may be more effective for extroverts than for introverts.
