Body Composition and Junk Food Intake among Queen Arwa University Students
A Bioelectrical Impedance Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58963/qausrj.v30i30.332Keywords:
Junk Food , Body Composition , Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis , University , Students , YemenAbstract
Junk food consumption among university students is rising and is often accompanied by unhealthy behaviors such as physical inactivity, inadequate sleep, smoking, and khat chewing, which may influence body composition, including fat mass, muscle mass, and visceral fat, even among individuals with normal BMI. Limited evidence exists regarding these associations among Yemeni students. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine junk food intake patterns and their relationship with body composition among 368 undergraduate students at Queen Arwa University, Sana’a, Yemen. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, junk food consumption, and lifestyle behaviors were collected via a structured questionnaire, while BMI, body fat percentage, muscle mass, and visceral fat were measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Data were analyzed using SPSS v25 with significance set at p < 0.05. Frequent consumption of fried foods and sugar-sweetened beverages was observed alongside high rates of physical inactivity, short sleep, smoking, and khat chewing. Although most students had normal BMI and visceral fat, elevated body fat was common, and junk food intake was significantly associated with muscle mass and lifestyle behaviors. These findings highlight the potential health risks of unhealthy diet and lifestyle patterns and underscore the need for targeted interventions among university students.
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