Personality and Body Mass Index in US Military Veterans: Results from the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study

The relationship between the "Big 5" personality dimensions and body mass index (BMI) were examined in a nationally representative sample (National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study) of male and female U.S. military veterans. Multivariable analyses were conducted to evaluate gender-specific associations between personality factors and BMI. Among male veterans, greater extraversion was associated with higher BMI, (beta = 0.18), while lower conscientiousness (beta = -0.18), agreeableness (beta = -0.18), and emotional stability (beta = -0.17) were associated with lower BMI. Among female veterans, only greater consciousness was associated with lower BMI. These associations were robust to effects of age, physical activity, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder. The "Big 5" personality dimensions are differentially associated with BMI in male and female veterans. While conscientiousness was associated with lower BMI in both male and female veterans, three additional personality dimensions were linked to BMI in male veterans. Implications of these findings for obesity management are discussed.