Neuroticism mediates the relationship between industrial history and modern‐day regional obesity levels

Abstract

Objective The historical factors and contemporary mechanisms underlying geographical inequalities in obesity levels remain uncertain. In this study, we examine whether modern regional variation in obesity is partly a result of the impact of large‐scale industry on the personality traits of those living in regions once at the center of the Industrial Revolution. Method Exposure to the effects of the Industrial Revolution was assessed using unique historical data from English/Welsh counties (N = 111). Specifically, we examined the relationship between the regional employment share in large‐scale coal‐based industries in 1813–1820 and contemporary regional obesity levels (2013–2015). The Big Five personality traits and regional unemployment levels were examined as potential mediators of this association. Results The historical regional employment share in large‐scale industries positively predicted the modern‐day regional prevalence of obesity. Mediation analysis showed that areas exposed to the decline of large‐scale industries experienced elevated Neuroticism and unemployment levels that explained almost half of the association between the historical dominance of large‐scale industry and modern‐day obesity levels. Conclusions Our results provide initial evidence that raised regional Neuroticism levels may play a key role in explaining why exposure to the rapid growth and subsequent decline of large‐scale industries forecasts modern‐day obesity levels.

Regional personality differences predict variation in early COVID-19 infections and mobility patterns indicative of social distancing.

“…Our findings seemingly clash with this description by suggesting that in the context of COVID-19, regional Agreeableness and Conscientiousness acted as risk factors while regional Neuroticism emerged as a protective factor. While this finding could simply be a reflection of the ecological fallacy we discussed in the introduction (Hehman et al, 2019; Hofstede, 2001; Inglehart & Welzel, 2003; Selvin, 1958), we believe that this is unlikely to be the sole explanation as prior work has established links between regional personality traits corresponding to the healthy personality prototype and positive health outcomes (Daly et al, 2021; Ebert et al, 2022; McCann, 2011a, 2011b, Rentfrow et al, 2008). Instead, we argue that the deviation is likely the product of contextual differences.…”