Publication: Association between snacking patterns, vending machine uses and body mass index (BMI) among undergraduate students in Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus
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Date
2025-07
Authors
Suhaimy, Nur Amni Mohd
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Abstract
University students' eating habits, particularly their snacking habits, have been a significant issue as a factor of their health. This study aimed to assess the association between snacking patterns, vending machine use and body mass index (BMI) among undergraduate students at the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Health Campus. A cross-sectional design was employed using an online self-administered questionnaire completed by 236 students. Sociodemographic information, eating frequency and timing, food kinds, vending machine usage, and self-reported height and weight were all gathered through the questionnaire. Snacking was reported by 56.8% of the 236 participants (n = 134), usually once or twice a week and 50% of the respondents (n = 118) indicated that 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. was the most preferred time to snack. The results showed that non-users (n = 144, 61%) of vending machines outnumbered users (n = 92, 39%). Most of the participants in this study were categorised in the normal BMI (n = 128, 54.2%). To investigate correlations between variables, statistical analyses were performed using Pearson's Chi-square tests. A significant association was found between vending machine usage and snacking patterns (x2 = 2, p < 0.05), particularly with the frequency and timing of consumption of energy-dense snacks and beverages such as chips, sweets, instant noodles, iced tea, flavoured milk and more. Stress, hunger, convenience, and the appealing flavour of snacks were the primary factors influencing students' snacking pattern. Passive activities like watching television or using smartphones were most frequently linked to increase unhealthy consumption of snacks. However, no significant association was observed between snacking patterns and BMI (x2 = 6, p = 0.166), (x2 = 9, p = 0.437) or vending machine use and BMI (x2 = 3, p = 0.378). These findings suggested that while vending machines may influence students’ snacking behaviours, they are not a direct predictor of BMI. This study also looked at the main characteristics that affected participants' purchases from vending machines, such as accessibility, hunger, and the desire to snack between mealtimes. The study highlighted the need for targeted strategies to improve the nutritional quality of vending machine offerings in university settings. A noteworthy 41.4% of participants reported occasionally being aware of the nutritional value of snacks. Future research should include larger and more diverse populations and explore longitudinal changes in snacking behaviour
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