The Relationship Between Early Warm and Secure Memories and Healthy Eating Among College Students: Anxiety as Mediator and Physical Activity as Moderator.

Aim: This study examines anxiety as a mediator between early warm and secure memories and healthy eating among college students, and the moderating role of physical activity in the early warm and secure memories-anxiety relationship.

Methods: In December, 2024, 2,984 Chinese undergraduates (42% male, 58% female; mean age 19.03)completed surveys assessing early warm and secure memories, anxiety, healthy eating, and physical activity. SPSS 29.0 analyzed correlations, PROCESS Macro testedthe mediation model, and moderated mediation model.

Results: Early warm and secure memories negatively correlated with anxiety (r = ‒0.359)and positively with physical activity (r = 0.098) and healthy eating (r = 0.245). Anxiety negatively correlated with physical activity (r = ‒0.089)and healthy eating (r = ‒0.209). Mediation analysis showed early warm and secure memories directly predicted healthy eating (β = 0.243, p < .001),with anxiety partially mediating this link (indirect effect β = ‒0.144, p < .001). Physical activity moderated the early warm and secure memories-anxiety pathway (interaction β = ‒0.044, p < .05), buffering anxiety's impact.

Conclusion: Early warm and secure memories promote healthy eating both directly and indirectly by reducing anxiety, with physical activity weakening the early warm and secure memories-anxiety association. Findings highlight the importance of fostering secure childhood memories for mental health and healthy eating. Interventions should leverage early warm and secure memories as a psychological resource and incorporate physical activity to enhance student well-being.