Abstract
BACKGROUND: Self-esteem plays a central role in adolescent psychological health and may be shaped by everyday health behaviors such as eating patterns and engagement in physical activity. However, evidence from Eastern European youth remains comparatively limited. Lower levels of self-worth during adolescence have been linked to increased vulnerability to maladaptive behaviors, including substance use. The present study aimed to explore preliminary associations between lifestyle behaviors, nutritional practices, and self-esteem in a sample of Romanian adolescents. METHODS: A cross-sectional design was used, involving 113 participants aged 14-18 years. Self-esteem was assessed using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, while lifestyle behaviors were evaluated through a standardized questionnaire. Body mass index was calculated based on self-reported height and weight. Statistical analyses included Pearson correlation coefficients and multiple linear regression models. RESULTS: Higher self-esteem scores were strongly associated with greater participation in physical activity and adherence to a balanced diet, while inverse relationships were observed with unhealthy dietary habits and higher BMI values. Physical activity emerged as the most influential predictor of self-esteem, accounting for over three-quarters of the variance in Rosenberg scale scores. CONCLUSIONS: In this preliminary analysis, physical activity and healthier dietary behaviors were associated with higher self-esteem scores among adolescents. Given the exploratory nature of the study, these findings should be interpreted with caution. They primarily serve to generate hypotheses and highlight the need for future studies with validated instruments, larger samples, and appropriate control for potential confounding factors to better elucidate the relationship between lifestyle behaviors and adolescent self-esteem.