Emotional intelligence, quality of life and health perception in obese individuals

Aim: Genetic, psychological and environmental factors are thought playing role in development of obesity. Growing interest seen in psychosocial aspects of obesity recently. Revealing emotional intelligence, health perception and quality of life in relation to obesity was aimed. Method: As observational clinical planned study, necessary permissions were obtained from the Dokuz Eylül University Non-Interventional Research Ethics Committee and Dokuz Eylül Medical Faculty Hospital. Revised Schutte Emotional Intelligence Scale, EQ-5D Health Related Quality of Life, Health Perception Scale and a questionnaire prepared by the researcher were administered to 18-65 aged volunteers applied Family Medicine and Diet clinics of Dokuz Eylül University Medical Faculty in March to November 2016. Results: Study was completed with 375 people. Case and control groups were equalized in terms of sociodemographic characteristics and 326 of 163 obese, 163 non-obese subjects were analyzed. There were 85 female, 78 male in group with BMI≥30, 97 female, 66 male in BMI<25, mean age of obese was 39,69±12,43 and controls' 37,44±11,74. Drug use were higher in obese subjects (p=0.002). There was difference between groups for dieting (p=0.006). Obesity in obese individuals' parents was higher (p<0.05). Obese stated reason for starting to gain weight is "to quit exercise". Of 84% obese (n:137) didn't have correct body image. Obese had higher health perception (p=0.038), lower quality of life (p=0.00) and similar emotional intelligence scores (p=0.353). Conclusion: There is a need for research on psychosocial aspect of obesity. It's important for family physicians to be aware of multidimensional approach for obesity, nutrition and lifestyle changes. KEY WORDS: Obesity, Emotional intelligence, Health perception, Quality of life