Locus of Control and Obesity

Abstract

In the developed world, the hazards associated with obesity have largely outstripped the risk of starvation. Obesity remains a difficult public health issue to address, due in large part to the many disciplines involved. A full understanding requires knowledge in the fields of genetics, endocrinology, psychology, sociology, economics, and public policy – among others. In this short review, which serves as an introduction to the Frontiers in Endocrinology research topic, we address one cross-disciplinary relationship: the interaction between the hunger/satiation neural circuitry, an individual’s perceived locus of control, and the risk for obesity. Mammals have evolved a complex system for modulating energy intake. Overlaid on this, in humans, there exists a wide variation in “perceived locus of control” – that is, the extent to which an individual believes to be in charge of the events that affect them. Whether one has primarily an internal or external locus of control itself affects, and is affected by, external and physiological factors and has been correlated with the risk for obesity. Thus, the path from hunger and satiation to an individual’s actual behavior may often be moderated by psychological factors, included among which is locus of control.

Locus of control as a modifiable risk factor for cognitive function in midlife

“…Although there is a large body of evidence showing LoC to be associated with many psychological [2,3,5,6,33] and physical [7,8] health outcomes and health behaviours such as smoking [9–12] and alcohol consumption [9,17], studies examining whether LoC is related to cognitive function are scarce [22]. Several studies to date have assessed whether cognitive training is associated with short-term [18] and long-term [16] changes in LoC (i.e.…”

“…fate or luck). LoC is an important personality construct that has been associated with many psychological [2–6] and physical [7,8] health outcomes as well as health behaviours such as smoking and alcohol consumption [9–12]. Studies generally report better outcomes in individuals classified as being more internal than external, concluding that it is psychologically healthy to perceive that one has control over those things which one is capable of influencing.…”

“…Despite many psychological and physical health outcomes being studied in relation to LoC [5,7], studies examining whether LoC is related to cognitive function are scarce. Most studies to date have focused on whether cognitive training is associated with short-term [18] and long-term [16] changes in LoC (i.e.…”

A Study of Short- and Long-term mRNA Levels of the Retn, Iapp, and Drd5 Genes in Obese Mice Induced with High-fat Diet

“…Many genetic studies have been conducted on hereditary obesity syndromes, as well as in overweight and acquired obesity. Although much information about obesity has been obtained from various studies, no significant success has been achieved in revealing major loci or genetic factors in nonhereditary obesity cases (22,23).…”

Assessment of psychological predictors of weight loss: How and what for?

“…Again, the association with obesity seems to be bidirectional: obese individuals face stigmatization and discrimination in many domains of their lives, and their psychological well-being is usually compromised [19] . On the other hand, it has been proposed that specific aspects of psychological functioning may increase the risk of developing obesity [20] . A significant proportion of obese patients do not display psychiatric comorbidities [15,21] .…”