The present study aimed to assess the link between physical appearance anxiety (PAA) and eating disorder (ED) symptomatol-ogy by a meta-analysis of existing literature. Eligible studies were searched across six electronic databases up until November 20,2025. Pooled effect sizes (r) were calculated using random-effects models. Potential variables that influence effect heterogeneitywere analyzed by univariable and multivariable meta-regressions. Influence analyses and a three-parameter selection model(3PSM) were used to assess robustness of the results and publication bias. Twenty-seven effect sizes from 21 studies (N = 5261)were obtained. The results indicated a strong association (i.e., r = 0.559) between the two variables under consideration, whichwas notably stronger (i) among females compared to males; and (ii) for overall eating disorder symptoms rather than bulimicsymptoms. The results of this study advocate for further investigation into the effectiveness of addressing anxiety responses re-lated to personal body traits, particularly among females, within the context of preventing and treating eating disorders.
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