Abstract
This study developed a Structural Equation Model (SEM) in order to identify the associations between motivational climate, emotional intelligence, adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MD), Physical Activity (PA), and some health indicators in a sample of future teachers. A non-experimental and cross-sectional study was carried in 775 university students (22.22 ± 3.76), using as main scales the Perceived Motivational Climate in Sport Questionnaire (PMCSQ-2), Emotional Intelligence Inventory adapted for the sport context, Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A), Mediterranean Diet Quality Index (KIDMED), 20 meter Shuttle Run Test (20mSRT), and percentage of lean and fat mass as calculated by the Tanita TBF300®® (Tanita-Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) electronic scale. The results showed a positive association between emotional intelligence and task climate, whereas the relationship with an ego climate was low. Ego-oriented climate was positively related to MD and high levels of PA. Emotional intelligence was directly related to higher levels of PA and the level of adherence to MD. PA was negatively associated with fat mass and positively with lean mass and VO2MAX. Task-oriented motivational climate showed a positive relation with the emotional intelligence of young people. Ego-oriented motivational climates were related to higher rates of physical-sport engagement and better diet quality.
Highlights
Research examining the university stage has traditionally focused on academic performance and the teaching–learning process [1,2]
This problem demands attention during early adulthood as it influences the lifestyle of university students and helps to explain the development of some poor behaviors developed during this period which impact on adult life [4]
This questionnaire is composed of two dimensions which pertain to the subscales: Task-Climate (Cooperative Learning, Effort/Improvement, and Important Role) and Ego-Climate (Punishment of Mistakes, Unequal Recognition, and Member Rivalry)
Summary
Research examining the university stage has traditionally focused on academic performance and the teaching–learning process [1,2]. Eating food with high amounts of sugar, fats, or salt, has become a daily habit for young people [5] and produces a neurophysiological process similar to that of abusive drug use [6,7] In tackling this problem, the scientific literature reveals the importance of promoting the dietary habits associated with the Mediterranean diet (MD) in order to prevent some diseases [8]. Recent studies show that MD consumption is beneficial to health and is associated with an improved quality of life and a reduced risk of infectious and cardiovascular disease and cancer [9,11] For this reason, this dietary model should be promoted from the university stage in order to improve lifestyles and prevent various pathologies
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