Social Desirability, Mediterranean Diet, and Body Appreciation: Exploring Relationships Through Mediation Analysis

Introduction: This study examines the relationships between social desirability, body appreciation, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet across different Body Mass Index (BMI) categories. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 254 randomly selected individuals aged 18–40 at a foundation university. Those with problematic eating behaviors and pregnant or lactating women were excluded. Participation was voluntary, and ethical approval was obtained. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews using a sociodemographic form, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, Body Appreciation, and the Social Desirability Scale. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) program version 23 and AMOS version 24, employing Pearson correlation and bootstrap methods (5000 resamples, p<0.050). Results: Among underweight individuals, higher social desirability is linked to lower adherence to the Mediterranean diet and decreased body appreciation. Similarly, in normal-weight individuals, increased social desirability correlates with reduced adherence to the Mediterranean diet scores and lower positive body appreciation. However, in overweight and obesity categories, the direct effects of social desirability on adherence to the Mediterranean diet and Body Appreciation are not statistically significant. Additionally, social desirability (SD) indirectly influences adherence to the Mediterranean diet, suggesting that body appreciation is partly mediated by dietary adherence, particularly in underweight individuals. Conclusion: These findings highlight the complex interactions between social desirability, body appreciation, and dietary adherence across BMI categories. Understanding these relationships emphasizes the importance of social and dietary factors in shaping body image and health behaviors. The results can inform future interventions and health programs to promote positive body image and healthy eating habits in individuals with different BMI statuses. Keywords: Body image, psychological well-being, mediterranean diet, social behavior