Personality and the subjective experience of body mass in Australian adults

This study was a conceptual replication of Sutin and Terracciano (2016). Australian adults (8296 men; 9205 women) completed self-report measures of personality, weight, height, waist circumference, perception of weight, and satisfaction with weight. Consistent with findings from North America, conscientiousness was most important for adiposity (BMI and waist circumference) and actual-perceived body weight discrepancy. Moderator effects for sex (and age) were observed but did not replicate Sutin and Terracciano (2016). Neuroticism, agreeableness and conscientiousness were important for body weight satisfaction, with stronger associations observed among women. Our findings demonstrate that personality is important for the objective and subjective experience of body weight, but further investigation of moderators is warranted. Cross-cultural prospective studies of personality and body image are recommended.