Publication: he association between picky eating status, physical activity level, stress level and body mass index (BMI) among undergraduate students at Universiti Sains Malaysia health campus
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Date
2026-06
Authors
Salihin, Iffa Azlina Mohd
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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.
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