Disproportionate Effects of Low-Quality Diet on Emotional Intelligence and Mindfulness in Minority Communities

Authors: Madison Gangi , Amina Haq

Field of Study: Biological Sciences

Program Affiliation: Health and Wellness Studies

Faculty Mentors: Lina Begdache

Easel: 86

Timeslot: Morning

Abstract: Food insecurity and nutritional deficiencies are shown to affect minority communities at higher rates than white communities, with current research indicating that these struggles have emotional and behavioral effects. However, limited research on the intersection of nutrition and mental health across ethnic groups necessitated this study, in which participants (age 18+; minorities, N=419; whites, N=855) completed an anonymous online survey distributed via social media platforms. The survey measured emotional intelligence, eating behaviors, and diet quality with validated scales. Data analyzed using Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient in SPSS Version 28.0. A low-quality diet was associated with emotional dysregulation (p<0.01) and lower mindfulness scores (p<0.01) amongst both populations. These trends were consistently observed, but minority participants showed descriptively higher correlation coefficients. These results emphasize the effect of nutritional disparities on mental health and the importance of addressing food access and dietary quality, specifically in minority communities.