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. 2025 Jan 7;25(1):76.
doi: 10.1186/s12889-025-21282-w.

Mediating role of exercise in the relationship between body dissatisfaction and overeating using structural equation modeling

Zhimin Yi  1 , Wenjing Yan  2 , Guohuan Hua  3 , Ying Wang  1 , Chunmei Wu  1 , Guoqiu Liu  1 , Ming Hao  4
Affiliations

Mediating role of exercise in the relationship between body dissatisfaction and overeating using structural equation modeling

Zhimin Yi et al. BMC Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: With the rapid development of society, teenagers have more access to individuals with perfect bodies and are becoming more concerned about their body image. Currently, few studies assess body image and eating disorders comprehensively in China. Given the seriousness of these issues, there is an urgent need to understand the current state of body image and eating behaviors among Chinese people and formulate preventive strategies.

Methods: In this study, 1711 college students between 17 and 23 years old in southern China completed relevant anthropometric measurements, essential information and three questionnaires. Multiple linear regression was used to screen the variables, and sex invariant analysis was used to determine whether to separate men and women to fit the structural equation model. Finally, the path diagram of the structural equation model was used to explore the complex relationship between body dissatisfaction and overeating.

Results: Our results found that 69.4% of participants with a body mass index (BMI) within the normal range were dissatisfied with their weight. Further, body dissatisfaction directly or indirectly leads to overeating. Additionally, exercise played a mediating role in the body dissatisfaction and overeating of college students.

Conclusions: If BMI directs body dissatisfaction, it may lead to overeating. As a mediating factor in structural equation modelling, exercise may provide strategies to reduce body dissatisfaction and prevent overeating.

Keywords: Body dissatisfaction; Body image; College students; Eating disorders; Overeating; Structural equation modelling.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: During the investigation, investigators need to explain in detail to the research subjects that the data obtained from this investigation is only used for scientific research activities and will not disclose personal information. They should actively answer any unclear questions when students fill out the questionnaire and assist students in completing the questionnaire smoothly. This study was approved by the ethics committee of the Gannan Medical University, China, No: 2021110. This study was conducted according to the guidelines in the Declaration of Helsinki, and all study participants provided informed consent, agreeing to the required measurement and survey completion procedures. All methods were performed in accordance with the relevant guidelines and regulations. Consent for publication: No applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Structural equation modelling between BMI, exercise, body dissatisfaction, SDS, and overeating. BMI: Body mass index PA: Physical activity RE: Restrained eating. BD: Body dissatisfaction SDS: Self-Depression Scale score EE: Emotional eating
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Overeating among college students in different exercise type groups
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Overeating among male university students in different exercise type groups
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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