Associations between Physical Activity and Emotional Health: The Mediating Role of Body Image and the Moderating Roles of Sex and BMI

Abstract

Background: The present research sought to investigate the intervening function of body perception in the context of physical exercise and emotional well-being. Additionally, it aimed to examine the disparities between groups based on different genders and body mass index (BMI). Methods: A total of 282 college students were recruited. The level of physical activity, perception of one's body, and emotional health were evaluated via the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, the Body Imagery State Scale, The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Assessment Scale (DASS - 21), along with the Positive and Negative Emotional State Inventory. An analysis of mediation effects was employed to examine the part that body imagery plays in the connection between physical activity and emotional well-being. This analysis was used to scrutinize the differences among groups.Results: The findings revealed that engaging in physical activity notably boosted positive feelings and mitigated negative feelings. Body perception serves as a crucial intermediary factor between physical activity and both positive and negative emotions. Moreover, the intermediary function of body perception was evident in the male group and the cohort possessing standard or overweight body mass index (BMI). Conclusion: These findings revealed the mechanism by which physical activity optimized emotional well-being by enhancing body image, and also provided an empirical basis for the development of gender and weight-specific emotional intervention strategies for different gender and BMI groups.