Body fat, eating behaviours, and well-being as predictors of negative body talk among college students: a moderation analysis by sex

Negative body talk (e.g., body shaming) among college students exacerbates mental health risks (e.g., eating disorders, depression) and peer body anxiety through social norms. This study examined multifactorial mechanisms and gender differences with an aim informing mental health interventions. This study was conducted on 789 college students (260 males and 529 females), 18–23 years, from a university in Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province. Data were collected by standardised instruments: body fat percentage, muscle mass, and height were measured using a body composition meter (Tanita BC-610) and a height scale; physical activity level was quantified using the Physical Activity Rating Scale (PARS-3); and dietary behaviours were measured using the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire Revised (TFEQ-R21v2). The scale contains three dimensions: Cognitive Restraint, Emotional Eating, and Uncontrolled Eating. Subjective well-being was measured using the WHO-5 Happiness Index. Sex differences existed in BMI, body fat, muscle mass, and physical activity ( P < 0.05). Body fat (β = 0.26) and restrictive diet (β = 0.51) positively predicted negative body talk ( P < 0.001), while happiness (β=−0.09) and uncontrolled eating (β=−0.08) showed negative associations ( P < 0.05). Men exhibited stronger effects of body fat (β = 0.16) and restrictive diet (β = 0.49) ( P < 0.01). In women, body fat (β = 0.36), restrictive diet (β = 0.50), and emotional eating (β = 0.10) correlated more strongly with lower well-being ( P < 0.01). High body fat-high restriction, low body fat-high well-being, and moderate groups differed significantly in BMI, body fat, eating behaviors, and well-being ( P < 0.001). Chinese university students show a high prevalence of negative body talk, with females significantly higher than males. Body fat and restrictive eating positively predict negative discourse, while happiness and non-restrictive eating negatively predict it. The high body fat-high restrictive eating group, scoring highest on negative discourse and lowest on happiness, is a priority for psychological intervention.