@misc{10481/107959,
year = {2025},
month = {7},
url = {https://hdl.handle.net/10481/107959},
abstract = {Background: University students face significant challenges in maintaining healthy physical activity (PA)
and dietary habits, and they often fall short of global health recommendations. Psychological factors such as social
physique anxiety, body image concerns, and self-objectification may act as barriers to PA engagement, influencing
both mental and physical health. The present study constructed a structural equation model (SEM) to examine
the relationship between body image-related psychological factors and resistance to PA in university students from
southern Spain. Methods: A cross-sectional and correlational study was conducted with 519 university students (74%
females, 26% males; Mean age = 21.14 ± 3.26 years) from universities in Granada and Malaga (Spain). Data were
collected between May and October 2024 via online questionnaires that assessed PA engagement, Mediterranean diet
adherence, eating disorder symptoms, body image-related psychological factors (social physique anxiety, appearance
control beliefs, body surveillance, body shame, and self-esteem), and sociodemographic characteristics. SEM was
performed to analyze relationships and sex-based differences. Results: Social physique anxiety was positively associated
with body shame, body surveillance, and eating disorders, and negatively associated with self-esteem, PA engagement,
and appearance control beliefs (all p < 0.001). Appearance control beliefs were positively related to self-esteem, body
surveillance, and PA (all p < 0.05). Body surveillance was negatively linked to PA and positively linked to body
shame. Mediterranean diet adherence and eating disorders were positively associated with PA (all p < 0.001). Sex-based
differences were observed in the model. Conclusion: Body image-related psychological factors may act as barriers to
PA among university students. Interventions should integrate mental health promotion and consider sex differences.},
organization = {Universidad de Granada – Vicerrectorado de Investigación y Transferencia (PPJIB2023-084)},
organization = {Ministerio de Universidades (FPU20/02739, FPU20/01987)},
organization = {MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 – Programa Unidad de Excelencia María de Maeztu (CEX2023-001312-M)},
organization = {Universidad de Granada – Unidad de Excelencia (UCE-PP2023-11/UGR)},
publisher = {Tech Science Press},
keywords = {Physical activity},
keywords = {Mediterranean Diet},
keywords = {Eating disorder},
title = {Influence of Psychological Factors Related with Body Image Perception on Resistance to Physical Activity amongst University Students in Southern Spain},
doi = {10.32604/ijmhp.2025.066137},
author = {Villodres Bravo, Gracia Cristina and Salvador Pérez, Federico and Muros Molina, José Joaquín and Vizcaíno-Cuenca, Rocío},
}