Nutrition knowledge, attitudes toward physical activity and malnutrition as predictors of social appearance anxiety: a structural equation modeling approach.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Social appearance anxiety (SAA) has emerged as a critical psychosocial concern among young adults, influenced by various behavioral and cognitive factors. Despite growing recognition of the role of health literacy, limited research has examined how nutrition knowledge may influence SAA through indirect pathways.

Objective

This study aimed to examine the predictive role of nutrition knowledge on social appearance anxiety, with a particular focus on the mediating effects of physical activity attitudes and malnutrition.

Methods

A cross-sectional design with a convenience sample of 338 university-level athletes (Mage = 22.04, SD = 3.46) was employed. Participants completed validated measures of nutrition knowledge, attitudes toward physical activity, malnutriti

SUBMITTER: Turhan FH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12540114 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature