Self-control and unhealthy body weight: The role of impulsivity and restraint

Deborah Cobb-Clark, Sarah C. Dahmann, Daniel A. Kamhöfer and Hannah Schildberg-Hörisch
Authors registered in the RePEc Author Service: Hannah Schildberg-Hoerisch ()

No 376, DICE Discussion Papers from Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf Institute for Competition Economics (DICE)

Abstract: We examine the relationship between trait self-control and body weight. Data from a population representative household survey reveal that limited self-control is strongly associated with both objective and subjective measures of unhealthy body weight. Those with limited self-control are characterized by reduced exercising, repeated dieting, unhealthier eating habits, and poorer nutrition. We propose an empirical method to isolate two facets of self-control limitations-high impulsivity and low restraint. Each has differential predictive power. Physical activity, dieting, and overall body weight are more strongly associated with restraint; impulsivity is more predictive of when, where, and what people eat.

Keywords: Brief Self-Control Scale; Obesity; Body Mass Index; Diet; Exercise (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D91 I12 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cbe, nep-hea and nep-neu
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https://www.econstor.eu/bitstream/10419/248593/1/1785201964.pdf (application/pdf)

Related works:
Journal Article: Self-control and unhealthy body weight: The role of impulsivity and restraint (2023)
Working Paper: Self-Control and Unhealthy Body Weight: The Role of Impulsivity and Restraint (2022)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:zbw:dicedp:376

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