This study explores the impact of body image on university students' physical exercise behavior, with a particular focus on the mediating role of body esteem. A questionnaire survey was conducted to collect data on body image, body esteem, and exercise behavior among Chinese university students. Structural equation modeling (SEM) and the Bootstrap method were used for statistical analysis. The results indicate that a positive body image not only directly promotes physical exercise behavior but also exerts an indirect effect by enhancing body esteem. This study highlights the crucial role of body esteem in encouraging physical exercise participation and provides theoretical support for health behavior interventions. Based on the findings, it is recommended that strategies such as physical education, body positivity training, and social support be implemented to enhance university students' body esteem, thereby increasing their engagement in physical exercise. Future research could further investigate potential mediating or moderating factors, such as social support, exercise self-efficacy, and cultural beauty standards, to develop a more comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms influencing students' exercise behavior.

Yuanxiang Chen, Lee Khiam Jin. The Influence of Body Image on University Students' Physical Exercise Behavior: The Mediating Role of Body Esteem. International Journal of Sports Technology (2025), Vol. 6, Issue 1: 1-10. https://doi.org/10.38007/IJST.2025.060101.

[1] Cash, T.F. and L. Smolak, Body image: A handbook of science, practice, and prevention. 2011: Guilford press.

[2] Fardouly, J., et al., Social comparisons on social media: The impact of Facebook on young women's body image concerns and mood. Body image, 2015. 13: p. 38-45.

[3] Grogan, S., Body image: Understanding body dissatisfaction in men, women and children. 2021: Routledge.

[4] Baceviciene, M., R. Jankauskiene, and V. Balciuniene, The role of body image, disordered eating and lifestyle on the quality of life in Lithuanian university students. International journal of environmental research and public health, 2020. 17(5): p. 1593.

[5] Hausenblas, H.A. and E.A. Fallon, Exercise and body image: A meta-analysis. Psychology and health, 2006. 21(1): p. 33-47.

[6] Lev-Arey, D., T. Gutman, and O. Levental, Empowering movement: Enhancing young adults’ physical activity through self-determination theory and acceptance and commitment Therapy-based intervention. Behavioral Sciences, 2024. 14(2): p. 130.

[7] Prichard, I., et al., The effect of Instagram# fitspiration images on young women’s mood, body image, and exercise behaviour. Body image, 2020. 33: p. 1-6.

[8] Tiggemann, M. and A. Slater, NetGirls: The Internet, Facebook, and body image concern in adolescent girls. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 2013. 46(6): p. 630-633.

[9] Fu, T., et al., Media internalized pressure and restrained eating Behavior in College students: the multiple Mediating effects of Body Esteem and Social Physique anxiety. Frontiers in Psychology, 2022. 13: p. 887124.

[10] Sabiston, C., et al., Body image, physical activity, and sport: A scoping review. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 2019. 42: p. 48-57.

[11] Cox, A.E., et al., Social physique anxiety in physical education: Social contextual factors and links to motivation and behavior. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 2011. 12(5): p. 555-562.

[12] Thøgersen-Ntoumani, C. and N. Ntoumanis, A self-determination theory approach to the study of body image concerns, self-presentation and self-perceptions in a sample of aerobic instructors. Journal of Health Psychology, 2007. 12(2): p. 301-315.

[13] Arigo, D., et al., Predicting change in physical activity: A longitudinal investigation among weight-concerned college women. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 2016. 50(5): p. 629-641.

[14] Campbell, A. and H.A. Hausenblas, Effects of exercise interventions on body image: A meta-analysis. Journal of health psychology, 2009. 14(6): p. 780-793.

[15] LePage, M.L. and J.H. Crowther, The effects of exercise on body satisfaction and affect. Body image, 2010. 7(2): p. 124-130.

[16] Focht, B.C. and H.A. Hausenblas, Perceived evaluative threat and state anxiety during exercise in women with social physique anxiety. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 2004. 16(4): p. 361-368.

[17] Shang, Y., H.-D. Xie, and S.-Y. Yang, The relationship between physical exercise and subjective well-being in college students: The mediating effect of body image and self-esteem. Frontiers in Psychology, 2021. 12: p. 658935.

[18] Keshk, M.M., et al., Body image perception and self-esteem among university students in cairo. Egyptian Journal of Community Medicine, 2019. 37(1): p. 82-96.

[19] Gillen, M.M., Associations between positive body image and indicators of men's and women's mental and physical health. Body image, 2015. 13: p. 67-74.

[20] Ouyang, Y., et al., The influence of sports participation on body image, self-efficacy, and self-esteem in college students. Frontiers in psychology, 2020. 10: p. 3039.

[21] Mendelson, B.K., M.J. Mendelson, and D.R. White, Body-esteem scale for adolescents and adults. Journal of personality assessment, 2001. 76(1): p. 90-106.

[22] Salci, L.E. and K.A.M. Ginis, Acute effects of exercise on women with pre-existing body image concerns: A test of potential mediators. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 2017. 31: p. 113-122.

[23] Ginis, K.A.M., et al., Body image change in obese and overweight women enrolled in a weight-loss intervention: The importance of perceived versus actual physical changes. Body image, 2012. 9(3): p. 311-317.

[24] Fox, K.R., The effects of exercise on self-perceptions and self-esteem, in Physical activity and psychological well-being. 2003, Routledge. p. 100-119.

[25] Axelsdottir, B., et al., Exercise for depression in children and adolescents–a systematic review and meta‐analysis. Child and adolescent mental health, 2021. 26(4): p. 347-356.

[26] Toselli, S., et al., Body Image Perception in Adolescents: The Role of Sports Practice and Sex. International journal of environmental research and public health, 2022. 19(22): p. 15119.

[27] Qin , Y., et al., The impact of college students’ self-body image on physical exercise-the mediating role of self-esteem. (eds.) Abstract Collection of the 23rd National Academic Conference on Psychology (Part 2), 2021: p. 176-177.

[28] Peng, X., Y. Chen, and X. Zhu, Effect of social network site appearance comparison on depression: the chain mediating role of body image satisfaction and self-esteem. Chin. J. Clin. Psychol, 2017. 25: p. 959-962.

[29] Jebb, A.T., V. Ng, and L. Tay, A review of key Likert scale development advances: 1995–2019. Frontiers in psychology, 2021. 12: p. 637547.

[30] Liang, D., Stress level of college students and its relationship with physical exercise. Chin. Ment. Health J, 1994. 8(2).

[31] Liu, Z., Effects of physical exercise on negative emotion for university students—The mediating and moderating effects of self-efficacy and mental resilience. J. Phys. Educ, 2020. 27: p. 102-108.

[32] H.F., H., The impact of body image and social body image anxiety on the exercise behavior of college freshmen. Journal of Chengdu Sports University, 2017. 43(2)(2): p. 120-126.

[33] Cash, T.F. and T.E. Pruzinsky, Body images: Development, deviance, and change. 1990: Guilford press.

[34] Ivarsson, T., et al., Weight concerns, body image, depression and anxiety in Swedish adolescents. Eating behaviors, 2006. 7(2): p. 161-175.

[35] Frost, K.A., et al., Revising the Body Esteem Scale with a US college student sample: Evaluation, validation, and uses for the BES-R. Sex Roles, 2018. 78: p. 1-17.

[36] Rahman, A. and M.G. Muktadir, SPSS: An imperative quantitative data analysis tool for social science research. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 2021. 5(10): p. 300-302.

[37] Walters, K., et al., The Influence of a Girls’ Health and Well-Being Program on Body Image, Self-Esteem, and Physical Activity Enjoyment. Behavioral Sciences, 2023. 13(9): p. 783.

[38] Shu, J., et al., Effects of aerobic exercise on body self-esteem among Chinese college students: A meta-analysis. Plos one, 2023. 18(9): p. e0291045.

[39] Zhang, Y., et al., How does exercise improve implicit emotion regulation ability: preliminary evidence of mind-body exercise intervention combined with aerobic jogging and mindfulness-based yoga. Frontiers in Psychology, 2019. 10: p. 1888.

[40] Tikac, G., A. Unal, and F. Altug, Regular exercise improves the levels of self-efficacy, self-esteem and body awareness of young adults. The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 2021. 62(1): p. 157-161.

[41] Iwon, K., et al., Elevating subjective well-being through physical exercises: an intervention study. Frontiers in psychology, 2021. 12: p. 702678.