The Relationship Between Physical Activity And Nutritional Intake By Measuring Upper Arm Circular Folds And Measurements In Students Of The Medical Education Study Program, Faculty Of Medicine, Islamic University Of Malang

Abstract

Physical activity and diet are important factors influencing the nutritional status. During late adolescence and early adulthood, energy needs increase due to the intensity of activities. Thus, skipping meals and low physical activity influence personal nutritional status. The study aimed to determine the effect of physical activity and nutritional intake on adult nutritional status, as measured by mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) and mid-upper arm fold (LLA), among medical students of the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Islam Malang (UNISMA). The study design was a descriptive-analytical with a cross-sectional method. The respondents consisted of 87 students selected using a total sampling technique. Data were collected using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) for physical activity, the food frequency questionnaire for nutritional intake, and measurements of MUAC and LAC were made using standard tools. Statistical analysis used the Chi-Square test with a significance level of p less than 0.05. The ages of major respondents were 19 years old (58.6%), female (69.0%). Most students required light physical activity (70.1%) and inadequate nutritional intake (66.7%). The physical measurement respondents' results showed a good nutritional MUAC (54%), 28.7% were malnourished, and 17.3% were obese. Meanwhile, 58.6% of respondents had an average MUAC, and 27.6% were ideal. The physical activity impacted both MUAC and LLA (p<0.001), as well as nutritional intake (p<0.001). Physical activity and nutritional intake are particularly associated with students' nutritional status. It is important to keep the balance between nutritional intake and regular physical activity to prevent nutritional problems in adult students.