Physical activity, body anxiety, self-discipline, and emotional eating among Chinese women in the workforce

• Huimin Peng

  School of Physical Education, Hunan University of Science and Technology

• Longjun Jing

  School of Physical Education, Hunan University of Science and Technology

• Yang Liu

  School of Social and Political Science, University of Edinburgh

• Yiwei Tang

  School of Physical Education, Hunan University of Science and Technology

• Huilin Wang

  School of Business, Hunan University of Science and Technology

Women in the workforce in China are facing rising anxiety and depression, often leading to emotional eating, which detrimentally affects their health, work, and family interactions. In this study we explored the link between physical activity and emotional eating among working women in China. Using snowball sampling, we conducted a survey with 466 women aged between 18 and 55 years who were employed in organizations in Changsha City, China. We constructed a structural equation model using Amos 26.0 to test our hypotheses. Results showed that women’s body anxiety positively impacted their emotional eating, and self-discipline had a negative association with emotional eating. Body anxiety and self-discipline mediated the relationship between physical activity and emotional eating, emphasizing the significance of self-discipline in curbing emotional eating. These findings are crucial for the government, employers, communities, and families, highlighting the need to prioritize the emotional well-being of women in the workforce, bolster their motivation, and encourage them to engage in physical activity.

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