WHEN OBESE PEOPLE ARE MORE PATIENT THAN NON-OBESE PEOPLE A study of post-surgery individuals in a weight loss association

The main goal of this article is to investigate the rates of delay discounting among obese people treated surgically and belonging to an association of those interested in controlling their weight. We also analyze whether socio-economic status and personality traits explain the existing differences. Rates of delay discounting are elicited using real monetary incentives in an economic experiment where subjects are asked to make several choices between a smaller, more immediate reward and larger, more delayed rewards. Personality traits are examined using the Five Factor Model. Interestingly, our results show that obese people display lower discount rates than the reference group. These differences can not be explained by personality traits. We argue that obese people do not have to show larger discount rates. In fact, awareness and commitment, rather than their current Body Mass Index, seem to play a more important role in determining this parameter.