A new study says that it does.

The study, published in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine, looked at the potential health effects of a trait known as “locus of control” — the extent to which individuals think they can influence events through their own actions. Those who believe they are largely in charge of their lives have an “internal” locus of control, while those who feel they are not have an “external” locus.

The researchers tracked over seven thousand individuals from birth and found that those who had an internal locus of control at age ten were less likely to be overweight twenty years later, and were possibly more inclined to develop healthy habits and more likely to have a healthy self-esteem.

Locus of control is often viewed as a natural component of a person’s personality. However, [lead researcher Dr. Catharine R.] Gale said, there is also evidence that it is shaped by childhood experiences — including children’s interactions with their parents.

“Parents who encourage independence and help children learn the connection between their actions and consequences tend to have children with a more internal locus of control,” she explained.

Posted by Sunshine.