The present study was conducted to examine the effect of knowledge and experiences related to sexual and reproductive health (SRH), attitude towards sexuality on disordered eating behaviors and mental health as well as the mediating role of body image (body satisfaction, body image guilt, and shame) among adolescents. Survey method was used for data collection from 1011 adolescents through convenience sampling from different schools/colleges of five regions of Pakistan namely Federal/Punjab, Sindh, AJK, Balochistan, and KPK. As assumed, results in the present study showed that disordered eating behaviors were significantly negatively correlated with body satisfaction. Results further confirmed that body image guilt and shame predicted eating withdrawal and overeating. Body satisfaction and body image guilt and shame mediated the relationship between knowledge and experiences related to SRH in predicting disordered eating behaviors and mental health; this assumption was partially accepted among girls, however, it was rejected among boys. This study concluded that a lack of body satisfaction creates eating problems. Promoting body satisfaction and positive affirmations of body image could not only help prevent disordered eating behaviors, it may also promote mental health of today's youths.

Key words: Adolescents, Body Image, Mental Health, Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH)