AUTHOR=Wang Huilin , He Xianyi , Tang Yiwei , Tang Jiaxin , Yang Jingyu 

TITLE=Unveiling the links between physical activity, self-identity, social anxiety, and emotional eating among overweight and obese young adults

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychology

VOLUME=Volume 14 - 2023

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1255548

DOI=10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1255548

ISSN=1664-1078

ABSTRACT=Emotional eating not only contributes to physical obesity but also leads to the experience of guilt and shame, exacerbating emotional problems. This study investigates the correlation between physical activity, self-identity, social anxiety, and emotional eating among 373 overweight and obese college students aged 18-26 in central China. By utilizing AMOS v.26, a structural equation model was constructed to examine the hypotheses. The findings reveal that physical activity significantly influences self-identity and social anxiety, which, in turn, significantly impact emotional eating. Moreover, self-identity and social anxiety serve as mediators in the relationship between physical activity and emotional eating. These results emphasize the role of physical activity in mitigating emotional eating among young individuals struggling with overweight and obesity. Consequently, the government and relevant agencies are urged to address the issue of obesity among young adults and provide support for their engagement in physical activity.