Browsing by Author "Ginström, Laura"

Objective. Non-communicable diseases related to obesity, physical inactivity and poor fitness are widespread public health concerns. Research has shown that personality traits, especially neuroticism and conscientiousness, are linked to health outcomes. The positive effect of music on health has also been the topic of recent research. The aim of this study is to examine if and how five-factor-model personality traits and use of music are related to risk factors of non-communicable diseases. Methods. Participants were men and women (n=37) aged between 19 and 40 who took part in MoMaMo! intervention study. Their physical activity, personality and use of music were assessed by questionnaires. Participants went through a cardiopulmonary exercise test and their body composition and blood samples were analysed. Logistic regression and a mediation analysis were used to examine relationships between personality, use of music and the risk factors. Results and discussion. Although the participants were obese and their fitness level was poor, they reported very high levels of physical activity. Openness to experience was the only trait which was associated with higher BMI and body fat. Use of music was associated with higher body fat and lower cardiorespiratory fitness. Mediation analysis revealed that openness to experience was positively related to use of music and this predicted lower levels of fitness. It is possible that open individuals prefer music-related hobbies over exercising and sports. The questionnaire “Brief Music in Mood Regulation” might also measure some other tendencies which are related to poor fitness. The aim of future studies should be examining these relationships in a community sample and assessing the mechanisms underlying them.