# Trait Emotional Intelligence and Children’s Eating Practices

## TL;DR

This study explores how emotional intelligence in children relates to mindful eating and emotional overeating, suggesting that improving emotional regulation could help prevent eating issues.

## Contribution

The study introduces a novel investigation into how children's trait emotional intelligence influences eating behaviors through mindful eating.

## Key findings

- Children's trait emotional intelligence is positively linked to mindful eating.
- Mindful eating is negatively associated with emotional over-eating behaviors in children.
- Children with lower emotional over-eating report higher mindful eating.

## Abstract

Introduction: Given the growing prevalence of eating-related health problems among children, it is essential to promote well-being and investigate the factors that may underlie these issues. Emotional intelligence has been identified in several studies as a protective factor for children’s psychosocial adjustment, yet its effects on eating habits remain largely underexplored. This cross-sectional correlational study aims to investigate the relationship between trait emotional intelligence, mindful eating, and emotional over-eating in children. Methods: In the present study, participants were 110 children aged between 8 and 12 years and their parents. Children completed the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire—Children short form (TEIQUE-CSF) and the Mindful Eating Questionnaire adapted for Children (MEQ-C). Parents completed the Emotional Over-eating subscale of Children’s Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (CEBQ). Results: A regression-based mediation model indicated that children’s trait emotional intelligence is positively related to mindful eating, which in turn is negatively related to emotional over-eating behaviors. The results further revealed that children with lower-than-average levels of emotional over-eating reported greater mindful eating than those with higher levels. Conclusions: These findings highlight trait emotional intelligence as a factor related to children’s eating behavior, suggesting that interventions aimed at enhancing emotional regulation skills and promoting mindful eating practices are particularly warranted in the context of heightened vulnerability to eating disorders among children.