Health Behaviors Associated with Overweight among University Students: The Roles of Ultra-Processed Food Consumption and Physical Activity
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26911/thejhpb.2026.11.03.12Abstract
Background: Overweight and obesity among university students are influenced by dietary behavior, physical activity, socioeconomic characteristics, and family predisposition. This study aimed to analyze factors associated with overweight/obesity among university students, focusing on ultra-processed food consumption and physical activity while controlling for potential confounders.
Subjects and Method: This case-control study involving 201 active university students, comprising 77 overweight/obesity cases and 124 normal controls. Participants were selected using purposive sampling with matching by sex and age. Data were collected using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (SQ-FFQ), International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and anthropometric measurements. Data were analyzed using multiple logistic regression with SPSS version 29.
Results: family history of obesity was significantly associated with higher odds of overweight/ obesity. Students with a family history of obesity had approximately three times higher odds of being overweight/obese than those without a family history (aOR= 2.96; 95% CI=1.10 to 7.93; p= 0.031). Students enrolled in the Nutrition study program had lower odds of overweight/obesity than those in the Hospital Administration program (aOR=0.35; 95% CI=0.13 to 0.95; p= 0.040). Weekly allowance >IDR 700,000 showed a borderline association with higher odds of overweight/ obesity (aOR= 6.59; 95% CI=0.89 to 48.95; p=0.065). Vigorous physical activity ≤10 minutes also showed a borderline association with lower odds (aOR=0.33; 95% CI=0.11 to 1.01; p=0.053), whereas vigorous physical activity of 11–20 minutes was not significantly associated with overweight/ obesity (aOR= 0.89; 95% CI=0.32 to 2.45; p=0.820). Frequent snack and soft drink consumption were not significantly associated with overweight/obesity after adjustment.
Conclusion: Family history of obesity and study program were significantly associated with overweight/obesity, whereas ultra-processed food consumption and physical activity were not independently associated after adjustment. These findings highlight the importance of familia predisposition and nutrition-related educational environments in campus-based prevention strategies.
Keywords:
healthy behavior, ultra-processed foods, overweight, physical activity
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References
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