Prevalence of Junk Food Consumption and its Association with Physical Activity and Sleep Quality Among Research Scholars in Public Universities

Abstract

This study explored the relationship between three different variables including physical activity levels, junk food intake and sleep quality among university students. It was conducted via cross-sectional design involving 329 participants (enrolled in BS and M.Phil. programs) from five different public universities. All the data were collected using validated assessment tools like IPAQ, Junk Food Consumption Survey, and PSQI. A significant association between these lifestyle factors was determined by statistical analysis. The findings indicated that individuals with poor sleep quality were more likely to consume fast food, particularly if they experienced daytime dysfunction because of sleep issues. On the other hand, more physical activity levels were linked to greater responsiveness of the health consequences of consuming junk food. By adding to existing research, this study contributes to the evidence supporting comprehensive interventions targeting multiple aspects of students' lifestyles to foster healthier living environments within academic settings