Glucose metabolism and self-regulation — Is insulin resistance a valid proxy of self-control?. (September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zahn, Daniela; Tug, Suzan; Wenzel, Mario; Simon, Perikles; Kubiak, Thomas
• Is Part Of: Personality and individual differences. Volume 99(2016)
• Page Start: 38
• Page End: 45
• Publication Date: 2016-09
• Subjects: Self-control -- Insulin resistance -- Glucose -- Ego depletion; BIS-15 Barratt Impulsiveness Scale -- BIS-15-NI Barratt Impulsiveness Scale subscale non-planning impulsivity -- BIS-15-MI Barratt Impulsiveness Scale subscale motor impulsivity -- BIS-15-AI Barratt Impulsiveness Scale subscale attentional impulsivity -- FBG fasting blood glucose -- HDL high-density lipoprotein -- IR insulin resistance -- LDL low-density lipoprotein -- OGT oral glucose tolerance -- SCS trait self-control scale -- TFEQ Three Factor Eating Questionnaire -- TFEQ-HU TFEQ hunger -- TFEQ-DIS TFEQ disinhibition -- TFEQ-CR TFEQ cognitive restraint; Personality -- Periodicals; Individuality -- Periodicals; Individuality -- Periodicals; Personality Development -- Periodicals; Personnalité -- Périodiques; Individualité -- Périodiques; 155.205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2016.04.070
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0191-8869

Abstract

Abstract: Glucose metabolism has been suggested as an underlying biological factor of self-control stimulating a range of studies exploring the associations between glucose and self-control. Research on interindividual trait-like differences in glucose metabolism and self-control is sparse, as most previous research has focused on associations between state self-control performance and momentary glucose levels. In two experiments in healthy participants ( n = 60, mean age 35.2 ± 13.9, 58% women; n = 103, mean age 25.8 ± 6.3, 67% women) consisting of a baseline assessment and a laboratory session, we examined whether trait markers of glucose metabolism (fasting glucose levels, oral glucose tolerance, and insulin resistance) correlated with trait measures of self-control and state self-control performance measured in a self-control dual-task paradigm. We found only small to moderate associations with insulin resistance, indicating that higher trait self-control went together with lower insulin resistance. These associations were limited to self-reported measures only. For the association with objectively assessed self-control performance no consistent pattern was observed. Taken together, the present research does not provide support for a meaningful relationship between self-control and glucose metabolism. Highlights: Self-control was not related to oral glucose tolerance. Higher self-reported self-control was associated with lower insulin resistance. Self-control performance showed inconsistent associations with insulin resistance.