Relationship between Ultra-Processed Food Consumption and Nutritional Status of Students at Dhyana Pura University based on Anthropometry

Authors

  • Brigita Maria Roong Universitas Dhyana Pura
  • Purwaningtyas Kusumaningsih Universitas Dhyana Pura
  • Laras Sekar Windaningrum Universitas Dhyana Pura

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36002/js.v5i2.5947

Keywords:

Ultra-processed food, UPF consumption, nutritional status, BMI, university students

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the relationship between UPF consumption and the nutritional status of students at Universitas Dhyana Pura based on anthropometry. An analytic observational study with a cross-sectional design was conducted among 92 students selected using purposive sampling. UPF consumption was assessed using a Semi-Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (SQ-FFQ), while nutritional status was determined from measured body weight and height and calculated as body mass index (BMI). UPF exposure was expressed as total energy from UPF and the percentage contribution of UPF energy to daily energy intake. Data were analyzed using Spearman’s rank correlation. The mean daily energy intake from UPF was 1,256.69 kcal, contributing 43.92% of total daily energy intake, with a range of 7.6–80.4%. Among the 92 valid observations, 21 students (22.8%) were classified as undernourished, 42 (45.7%) as normal, 13 (14.1%) as overweight, 13 (14.1%) as obesity class I, and 3 (3.3%) as obesity class II. No significant relationship was observed between the percentage of UPF energy and nutritional status (rₛ = −0.109; p = 0.303), total UPF energy and nutritional status (rₛ = 0.081; p = 0.444), or total daily energy and nutritional status (rₛ = 0.134; p = 0.202). These findings indicate that, within this study population, UPF consumption was not statistically associated with nutritional status based on BMI. The results should nevertheless be interpreted in light of potential confounding by physical activity, sleep patterns, total dietary intake, and other individual characteristics that were not statistically controlled.

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Published

2026-08-29

How to Cite

Roong, B. M., Kusumaningsih, P., & Windaningrum, L. S. (2026). Relationship between Ultra-Processed Food Consumption and Nutritional Status of Students at Dhyana Pura University based on Anthropometry. JURNAL KESEHATAN, SAINS, DAN TEKNOLOGI (JAKASAKTI), 5(2), 398–409. https://doi.org/10.36002/js.v5i2.5947

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Vol. 5 No. 2 (2026): JURNAL KESEHATAN, SAINS, DAN TEKNOLOGI (JAKASAKTI)

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.