Comparative Study on Personality Traits and Alexithymia among Obese and Balanced people

Background: Nowadays, obesity is the most common nutritional health problem in both developed and developing countries. The purpose of the present study was to examine personality traits and alexithymia among obese and balanced people. Methods: The research method of the present study was causativecomparative. The sample population of this study consisted of all 20 - 50 years old obese and balanced people from Mazandaran province among whom 60 women (30 obese and 30 balanced) were chosen based on the available sampling method. The instruments used in this study consisted of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS - 20) and Neo Five-Factor Inventory (NEO - FFI). The data of this study were examined using multivariate analysis of variance. Results: The results of the statistical analyses of data indicated that the meanest of obese people in neuroticism features, openness to experience and conscientiousness was larger than balanced people. The mean of extroversion and flexibility was larger in balanced people compared to obese ones. On the other hand, there was no significant difference in the personality traits mean of obese and balanced people. The mean of emotional expressions, understanding emotions and outside thinking was larger in obese people. Obese and balanced people showed a significant difference in the expression of emotions, but there was no significant difference in understanding emotions and outside thinking of participants. Conclusion: The higher rate of alexithymia in obese people indicated that controlling negative emotions can be effective in weight loss.