Associations between weight stigma and exercise avoidance motivation among college students: exploring the roles of internalized weight stigma and social anxiety.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Weight stigma is linked to a range of adverse outcomes, including reduced engagement in physical activity, yet the psychological pathways underlying these associations remain insufficiently understood. This study examined the relationship between weight stigma and motivation to avoid exercise, with a particular focus on the mediating roles of internalized weight stigma and social anxiety.

Methods

A total of 1,397 Chinese university students (aged 17-25) were recruited via the online survey platform Sojump. Participants completed validated questionnaires assessing weight stigma, exercise avoidance motivation, internalized weight stigma, and social anxiety. Structural equation modeling was employed to evaluate the hypothesized relationships. The study protocol was a

SUBMITTER: Li Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12581209 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature