Emotional intelligence, body image dissatisfaction and HRQoL in children

Abstract

Body image dissatisfaction (BID) is related to an increased risk for various health issues including descreased health-related quality of life (HRQoL), the development of problematic eating behavior and overweight. Previous research indicates that emotional intelligence (EI) is one important factor associated with BID in adults. Whether there is a similar relationship in children has not been investigated yet. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between BID and EI as well as HRQoL in female and male primary school children. EI, BID, HRQoL and the body mass index (BMI) were assessed by examination and questionnaires in a large sample of children from third to fourth grade and in their parents within the health promotion program “Join the Healthy Boat†which is implemented in several primary schools in the southwest of Germany. Complete data sets were derived from 991 children (492 girls) and 787 corresponding parents. Correlations obtained demonstrated that higher EI was associated with lower BID in both girls and boys. Furthermore, small positive correlations showed that higher EI was associated with better HRQoL as measured by self-report as well as parental report. Our findings reveal that EI is associated with lower BID and better HRQoL in female and male primary school children. Prevention programs could benefit from including attempts to improve emotional abilities like intrapersonal, interpersonal abilities and adaptability in order to prevent both problematic eating attitudes and the development of eating disorders as well as overweight and obesity in children.