What is it about?
This meta-analysis combines 34 previous studies to examine associations between the Big Five personality traits (extraversion, openness, agreeableness, conscientiousness and neuroticism) and dietary behavior based on the USDA guidelines. Findings show that those who are higher in all traits except for neuroticism (higher in anxiety and emotional instability) generally consume a healthier diet. Those higher in neuroticism tend to eat an unhealthy diet overall. This pattern also was demonstrated for fruits and vegetables.
Featured Image
Photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash
Why is it important?
This meta-analysis adds to growing literatures clarifying the roles of personality traits in health processes and related behaviors. The comprehensive results inform how future research can advance understanding of the relationships between personality traits and dietary behavior guidelines – behaviors which affect mental and physical health.
Perspectives
This study provides an important foundation to move past descriptive accounts of the associations between personality and diet to begin uncovering the processes that are driving these associations.
Paula Harrison
Wayne State University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Five-Factor personality traits and dietary guidelines: A multilevel meta-analysis., Health Psychology, May 2026, American Psychological Association (APA),
DOI: 10.1037/hea0001610.
You can read the full text:
Contributors
The following have contributed to this page
