The association between picky eating status, physical activity level, stress level and body mass index (BMI) among undergraduate students at Universiti Sains Malaysia Health Campus

Salihin, Iffa Azlina Mohd (2026) The association between picky eating status, physical activity level, stress level and body mass index (BMI) among undergraduate students at Universiti Sains Malaysia Health Campus. Project Report. Universiti Sains Malaysia. (Submitted)

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Abstract

Picky eating behavior, elevated stress levels and physical inactivity are increasingly linked to weight management challenges among university students. The transition into university life exposes students to lifestyle changes that can significantly influence their Body Mass Index (BMI). This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the association between picky eating status with stress level, physical activity level and BMI among undergraduate students at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). A total of 154 undergraduate students were recruited via convenience sampling using a digitally distributed questionnaire. Data were collected using the Adult Picky Eating Questionnaire (APEQ), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ). and anthropometric measurements. Descriptive analysis revealed a nearly equal distribution between picky eaters (49.7%) and non-picky eaters (50.3%). An overwhelming majority of students experienced moderate stress levels (99.3%) and reported low physical activity levels (83.7%). Analysis demonstrated a highly significant statistical association between picky eating status and perceived stress (p < 0.005) categories with 100.0% of identified picky eaters falling exclusively within the moderate stress group. Conversely, no significant associations were found between picky eating status and physical activity levels or BMI classifications.

Item Type: Monograph (Project Report)
Uncontrolled Keywords: weight
Subjects: R Medicine
R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA440-440.87 Study and teaching. Research
Divisions: Kampus Kesihatan (Health Campus) > Pusat Pengajian Sains Kesihatan (School of Health Sciences) > Monograph
Depositing User: MUHAMMAD AKIF AIMAN AB SHUKOR
Date Deposited: 07 Sep 2026 03:06
Last Modified: 26 Oct 2026 03:52
URI: http://eprints.usm.my/id/eprint/64893

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