Personality Traits And Dietary Habits Among Students Of The University Of Ghana, Legon

ABSTRACT Background: For an effective behaviour modification in dietary habits, an understanding of the association between an individual’s personality traits and food habits are of much significance. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between personality traits and dietary habits among undergraduate students of the University of Ghana. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted and students were recruited by systematic sampling. A questionnaire was used to collect data. Anthropometric measurements (height, weight, waist and hip circumference), dietary intake (semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire) and dietary habits were assessed. The Big 5 personality traits (extraversion, conscientiousness, neuroticism, agreeableness and openness) were assessed using the International Personality Item Pool (IPIP). Associations between dietary habits and BMI, WHR and personality traits were analyzed. Results: The mean BMI of the participants was 22±3.63 kg/m2 . The Waist-to-Hip Ratios were 0.76±0.04 and 0.81±0.04 for females and males respectively. Except for neuroticism, all the personality traits had a significant association with at least one of the dietary habits. Waist-to-Hip Ratio was associated with pickiness. Sugar intake moderation was significantly associated with BMI (p =0.05). Conclusion: The dietary habits of the undergraduate students of the University of Ghana did not show much effect on their BMI. Some associations were detected between personality traits of the students and the aspects of their dietary habits observed. Personality traits may have an influence on dietary habits but further studies are required for confirmation.