The cross-sectional study on the association between physical exercise and restrained eating among Chinese college students: the chain mediating roles of emotional intelligence and perceived stress

Background Restrained eating, a dietary pattern with potential health risks, is prevalent among college students. Although physical exercise is associated with restrained eating, the underlying psychological mechanisms remain unclear. This study examined the relationship between physical exercise and restrained eating among Chinese university students, focusing on the chain mediating roles of emotional intelligence (EI) and perceived stress. Methods Participants were 1,640 college students (58.5% male; mean age 19.29 ± 1.16 years) from eight provinces in China. They completed measures of physical exercise [Physical Activity Rating Scale-3 (PARS-3)], restrained eating [Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ)], emotional intelligence [Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale (WLEIS)], and perceived stress [Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)]. Mediation analysis was conducted using SPSS 26.0 with the PROCESS macro (Model 6) and 5,000 bootstrap samples. Results Physical exercise was negatively correlated with restrained eating ( r = −0.369, p < 0.001). Regression analyses showed that physical exercise (β = −0.406, p < 0.001) and emotional intelligence (β = −0.337, p < 0.001) negatively predicted restrained eating, while perceived stress positively predicted it (β = 0.332, p < 0.001). Mediation analyses revealed significant indirect effects through emotional intelligence (indirect effect = −0.023, 95% CI [−0.030, −0.017]), perceived stress (indirect effect = −0.019, 95% CI [−0.025, −0.013]), and the sequential pathway through both mediators (indirect effect = −0.002, 95% CI [−0.004, −0.001]). The total indirect effect (−0.044) accounted for 35.8% of the total effect (−0.123). Conclusion Physical exercise is negatively associated with restrained eating among Chinese college students, with emotional intelligence and perceived stress serving as independent and sequential mediators. These findings highlight the importance of integrating emotional competence and stress management into physical activity interventions to promote healthy eating behaviors in university populations.