Exploring the Relationship of Emotional Intelligence and Obesity among University Students

Abstract

Objective: Obesity is related to emotional pressures and psychological disorders. Psychiatric disorders, acute psychological stress, psychological problems, and emotional factors induce obesity. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between scale and subscale of emotional intelligence (EI) and obesity among university students in Golestan province, Iran. Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive study. The sample size contained 358 university students. The research instrument was Bar-On and Parker Emotional Intelligence (EI) Questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS 22. Moreover, descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, and multiple regression analyses were also done. Results: There is a direct and inverse relationship between students’ total EI (-0.415) and its subscales including intrapersonal skills (-0.393), interpersonal skills (-0.313), adaptability (-0.359), stress management (-0.383), and general mood (-0.372) with overweight. Conclusion: The results of this research may not only open a new window to assist in achieving successful nutritional diet programs, providing people but it also can pave the way for further research conducted by experts in nutrition, medicine, and psychology. The findings of this study will enhance social public awareness on the side- effects of obesity equipping the public with some counseling to lose weight through using EI for people, especially students suffering from obesity.