Longitudinal associations between BMI, ideal-actual BMI gap, and body shape concern among young Chinese females

Complex reciprocal effects of BMI, ideal-actual BMI gap, and body shape concern existed in different BMI groups. There is an urgent need for the whole society to pay more attention to the issue of body shape concern. In particular, health educators should organize programs to promote accurate weight perception among young women, and policymakers should enhance content regulation by restricting the promotion of extreme weight loss across media platforms. This approach would help avoid the negative impact of excessive concerns about body image on mental health.