Relationship Between Dietary Patterns And Sleep Patterns With Nutritional Status
Abstract
University students are vulnerable to nutritional problems because academic demands, organizational activities, irregular eating habits, and inadequate sleep may disrupt energy balance and overall health. Dietary and sleep patterns are therefore important lifestyle factors that may contribute to variations in nutritional status. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between dietary patterns and sleep patterns with the nutritional status of board members of the Christian Student Fellowship at Makassar State University. A quantitative cross-sectional design was employed involving all 46 active board members for the 2025/2026 period, selected through total sampling. Dietary patterns were assessed using a structured questionnaire, while sleep patterns were measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Nutritional status was determined through anthropometric measurements of body weight and height and classified based on Body Mass Index (BMI). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Spearman correlation analysis at a significance level of 5%. The findings showed that 44 respondents (95.7%) had good dietary patterns, whereas 31 respondents (67.4%) had poor sleep patterns. Regarding nutritional status, 31 respondents (67.4%) were classified as normal, 8 (17.4%) as underweight, and 7 (15.2%) as overweight. Statistical analysis demonstrated a significant relationship between dietary patterns and nutritional status (p = 0.022; r = 0.337), indicating a positive but relatively weak association. In contrast, sleep patterns were not significantly associated with nutritional status (p = 0.371; r = 0.135). These findings suggest that dietary patterns are more closely related to nutritional status than sleep patterns in this population. Therefore, promoting balanced food intake, regular meal schedules, and healthy dietary practices should remain a priority for maintaining optimal nutritional status among organizationally active university students.