Obesity and the four facets of impulsivity

Abstract

Objective: Obesity is a complex condition involving biological, psychological, sociocultural and environmental components. Impulsivity seems to be a particularly important factor. Whiteside and Lynam recently proposed dividing impulsivity into four separate dimensions: Urgency, lack of Premeditation, lack of Perseverance and Sensation Seeking (associated with a tendency to exaggerate the impact of rewards). The objective of this article is to examine how obesity and eating disorder symptoms may be related to the four facets of impulsivity.

Methods: Whiteside and Lynam's Impulsive Behavior Scale, the Sensitivity to Punishment and Sensitivity to Reward Questionnaire, the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire and the Mizes Anorectic Cognitions Questionnaire were used to explore the association between the cognitive and motivational facets of impulsivity and obesity in 47 overweight or obese persons with eating disorders and 47 normal-weight controls.

Results: Results suggest that overweight and obese persons have higher levels of Urgency, lack of Perseverance and Sensitivity to Reward.

Conclusion: These results suggest that obese and overweight persons have difficulty inhibiting automatic or dominant behavior and intrusive thoughts and a higher sensitivity to reward.

Practice implications: Overweight and obese persons may benefit from psychological interventions targeting self-control problems associated with impulsive eating behaviors.