Effects of physical activity on eating disorder tendencies in college students: the chain-mediated effects of trait positivity and physical self-esteem

AimThis study aimed to explore the influence mechanism of physical activity on eating disorder tendencies in college students and analyze the chain-mediated role of trait positivity and physical self-esteem.MethodsUsing the Physical Activity Rating Scale, Eating Disorder Tendency Scale, Trait Positi...

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Main Authors: Yong Jiang, XiangZheng Meng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Psychology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1588744/full
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author Yong Jiang
XiangZheng Meng
author_facet Yong Jiang
XiangZheng Meng
author_sort Yong Jiang
collection DOAJ
description AimThis study aimed to explore the influence mechanism of physical activity on eating disorder tendencies in college students and analyze the chain-mediated role of trait positivity and physical self-esteem.MethodsUsing the Physical Activity Rating Scale, Eating Disorder Tendency Scale, Trait Positivity Scale, and Physical Self-Esteem Scale, 550 college students from four universities in Northeast China were surveyed.Results(1) Physical activity was significantly negatively correlated with eating disorder tendencies in college students (r = −0.361; p < 0.01); trait positivity was significantly negatively correlated with eating disorder tendencies in college students (r = −0.275; p < 0.01); physical self-esteem was significantly negatively correlated with eating disorder tendencies in college students (r = −0.436; p < 0.01); physical activity was significantly positively correlated with trait positivity (r = 0.223; p < 0.01); physical activity was significantly positively correlated with physical self-esteem (r = 0.371; p < 0.01); trait positivity was significantly positively correlated with physical self-esteem (r = 0.433; p < 0.01). (2) Physical activity could negatively predict eating disorder tendencies in college students, with a direct effect of −0.0202. (3) In the association between physical activity and eating disorder tendencies in college students, trait positivity and physical self-esteem could exert both separate mediating effects and a chain-mediated effect, with effect values accounting for 4.02, 17.23, and 4.76% of the total effect, respectively.ConclusionPhysical activity is associated with eating disorder tendencies in college students, and this association occurs both through the mediating roles of trait positivity and physical self-esteem and through their chain-mediated effect.
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spelling doaj-art-e787f9a715804fe3abeb8f150db087ed2025-08-20T02:37:06ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782025-07-011610.3389/fpsyg.2025.15887441588744Effects of physical activity on eating disorder tendencies in college students: the chain-mediated effects of trait positivity and physical self-esteemYong JiangXiangZheng MengAimThis study aimed to explore the influence mechanism of physical activity on eating disorder tendencies in college students and analyze the chain-mediated role of trait positivity and physical self-esteem.MethodsUsing the Physical Activity Rating Scale, Eating Disorder Tendency Scale, Trait Positivity Scale, and Physical Self-Esteem Scale, 550 college students from four universities in Northeast China were surveyed.Results(1) Physical activity was significantly negatively correlated with eating disorder tendencies in college students (r = −0.361; p < 0.01); trait positivity was significantly negatively correlated with eating disorder tendencies in college students (r = −0.275; p < 0.01); physical self-esteem was significantly negatively correlated with eating disorder tendencies in college students (r = −0.436; p < 0.01); physical activity was significantly positively correlated with trait positivity (r = 0.223; p < 0.01); physical activity was significantly positively correlated with physical self-esteem (r = 0.371; p < 0.01); trait positivity was significantly positively correlated with physical self-esteem (r = 0.433; p < 0.01). (2) Physical activity could negatively predict eating disorder tendencies in college students, with a direct effect of −0.0202. (3) In the association between physical activity and eating disorder tendencies in college students, trait positivity and physical self-esteem could exert both separate mediating effects and a chain-mediated effect, with effect values accounting for 4.02, 17.23, and 4.76% of the total effect, respectively.ConclusionPhysical activity is associated with eating disorder tendencies in college students, and this association occurs both through the mediating roles of trait positivity and physical self-esteem and through their chain-mediated effect.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1588744/fullphysical activityeating disorder tendenciestrait positivityphysical self-esteemthe chain-mediated effects
spellingShingle Yong Jiang
XiangZheng Meng
Effects of physical activity on eating disorder tendencies in college students: the chain-mediated effects of trait positivity and physical self-esteem
Frontiers in Psychology
physical activity
eating disorder tendencies
trait positivity
physical self-esteem
the chain-mediated effects
title Effects of physical activity on eating disorder tendencies in college students: the chain-mediated effects of trait positivity and physical self-esteem
title_full Effects of physical activity on eating disorder tendencies in college students: the chain-mediated effects of trait positivity and physical self-esteem
title_fullStr Effects of physical activity on eating disorder tendencies in college students: the chain-mediated effects of trait positivity and physical self-esteem
title_full_unstemmed Effects of physical activity on eating disorder tendencies in college students: the chain-mediated effects of trait positivity and physical self-esteem
title_short Effects of physical activity on eating disorder tendencies in college students: the chain-mediated effects of trait positivity and physical self-esteem
title_sort effects of physical activity on eating disorder tendencies in college students the chain mediated effects of trait positivity and physical self esteem
topic physical activity
eating disorder tendencies
trait positivity
physical self-esteem
the chain-mediated effects
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1588744/full
work_keys_str_mv AT yongjiang effectsofphysicalactivityoneatingdisordertendenciesincollegestudentsthechainmediatedeffectsoftraitpositivityandphysicalselfesteem
AT xiangzhengmeng effectsofphysicalactivityoneatingdisordertendenciesincollegestudentsthechainmediatedeffectsoftraitpositivityandphysicalselfesteem