Objective: The aim of the present study was to explain the structural model between body shame and body appreciation in women and to investigate the mediating role of physical activity.

Materials and Methods: The research method was descriptive-correlational. The statistical population of the present study consisted of female athletes in Tehran. From this population, 280 women aged between 25 and 45 years were selected as the research sample using convenience sampling. The research instruments included the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile (Walker et al., 1987), the Body Appreciation Scale (Avalos et al., 2005), and the Body Image Shame Questionnaire (Duarte et al., 2014). Research data were analyzed using path analysis and SPSS and AMOS software (version 23).

Results: The total path coefficient between body shame and body appreciation was negative and significant at the level of 0.01 (β=-0.429, p<0.01). The path coefficient between physical activity and body appreciation was positive and significant at the level of 0.01 (β=0.318, p<0.01). The indirect path coefficient between body shame and body appreciation was negative and significant at the level of 0.01 (β=-0.191, p<0.01).

Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that reducing body shame and fostering positive engagement in physical activity can lead to increased body appreciation in female athletes. Therefore, designing psychological interventions based on managing body shame and promoting a function-oriented attitude towards the body in sports environments is recommended.