The impact of body-shaping intention and fitness behavior on quality of life

Abstract

Weight loss and body shaping have become prevalent trends in Taiwan; having an ideal body shape is a goal pursued and desired by most young people. Therefore, we conducted a study focused on how college students who are dissatisfied with their body shape can improve their quality of life (QOL) through body-shaping intention (BSI) and fitness behavior (FB). We employed purposive sampling and conducted a questionnaire-based survey in universities in the northern, central, southern, and eastern regions of Taiwan (n=518). First, we adopted the structural equation modeling (SEM) framework to examine hypothesized relationships between the research variables (BSI, FB, QOL). Subsequently, confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to test the structural validity of the questionnaire. Finally, AMOS was used to evaluate the SEM. The SEM analysis revealed that BSI had a positive impact on QOL (β = .369, t = 5.293, p < .001); BSI positively influenced FB (β = .543, t = 7.964, p < .001); and FB positively affected QOL (β = .192, t = 4.186, p < .001). BSI not only motivates individuals to engage in FB to improve their health and appearance but also significantly enhances their QOL by improving aspects such as their physical health, psychological state, and social support. These results are beneficial for educational institutions to re-evaluate their health promotion strategies for students. They underscore the importance of continuously enhancing school fitness and weight loss programs, providing significant insights for relevant policies and practices.