<p>A "can do" attitude can work wonders for your health and outlook on life but those who have a greater faith in 'luck' or 'fate' are more likely to live an unhealthy life, says an Australian study.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Researchers from the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research analysed data on the diet, exercise and personality type of more than 7,000 people.<br /><br />Those who believe in scripting their own lives ate healthier food, exercised more, smoked less and avoided binge drinking, the findings demonstrated, according to a Melbourne statement.<br /><br />Deborah Cobb-Clark, professor at the Melbourne Institute, said those who have a greater faith in 'luck' or 'fate' are more likely to live an unhealthy life. "Our research shows a direct link between the type of personality a person has and a healthy lifestyle," she said.<br /><br />"The main policy response to the obesity epidemic has been the provision of better information, but information alone is insufficient to change people's eating habits," she said.<br /> <br />"Understanding the psychological underpinning of a person's eating patterns and exercise habits is central to understanding obesity," she said.<br /><br />The study also found men and women hold different views on the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. Men wanted physical results from their healthy choices, while women were more receptive to the everyday enjoyment of leading a healthy lifestyle.</p>
<p>A "can do" attitude can work wonders for your health and outlook on life but those who have a greater faith in 'luck' or 'fate' are more likely to live an unhealthy life, says an Australian study.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Researchers from the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research analysed data on the diet, exercise and personality type of more than 7,000 people.<br /><br />Those who believe in scripting their own lives ate healthier food, exercised more, smoked less and avoided binge drinking, the findings demonstrated, according to a Melbourne statement.<br /><br />Deborah Cobb-Clark, professor at the Melbourne Institute, said those who have a greater faith in 'luck' or 'fate' are more likely to live an unhealthy life. "Our research shows a direct link between the type of personality a person has and a healthy lifestyle," she said.<br /><br />"The main policy response to the obesity epidemic has been the provision of better information, but information alone is insufficient to change people's eating habits," she said.<br /> <br />"Understanding the psychological underpinning of a person's eating patterns and exercise habits is central to understanding obesity," she said.<br /><br />The study also found men and women hold different views on the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. Men wanted physical results from their healthy choices, while women were more receptive to the everyday enjoyment of leading a healthy lifestyle.</p>