The association of impulsivity with effects of the ChooseWell 365 workplace nudge intervention on diet and weight.

Impulsivity is an individual trait characterized by the tendency to make quick or rash decisions. High impulsivity is associated with less healthy food choices and poorer health outcomes, including obesity. "Nudges", which are small interventions that steer people towards healthy choices without removing other options, may be particularly helpful for individuals with high impulsivity. Our study tested whether trait impulsivity (i.e., impulsive personality tendencies), choice impulsivity (i.e., preference for immediate vs. later rewards), and action impulsivity (i.e., low behavioral inhibition) were associated with the effectiveness of a workplace nudge intervention to increase healthy food choices and slow weight gain among hospital employees. We found that higher trait and choice impulsivity were associated with less healthy food purchases in the study population at baseline, but employees of all levels of impulsivity improved their food purchases in response to the intervention. The intervention may have helped slow weight gain in individuals with high action impulsivity.