This secondary analysis used 2023 cross-sectional data from 372 nursing students in Southern Thailand. A food-frequency questionnaire and principal component analysis identified snack, Thai-dish and high-energy dietary patterns. BMI-defined underweight and excess body weight coexisted in the same student population.
Key findings
- Among underweight students, Thai-dish scores were associated with study year, breakfast, supper, alcohol use and sedentary behaviour. Among students with excess weight, snack scores varied by sex, exercise and sedentary behaviour. Higher GPA was associated with lower high-energy-pattern scores in both groups.
Why this matters globally
The coexistence of under- and overnutrition is relevant to universities internationally. The study supports subgroup-tailored health promotion and healthier campus food environments rather than one uniform message.
Thai researcher contribution
Thai investigators from Walailak University and Boromarajonani College of Nursing examined nutritional patterns in a Southern Thai nursing-student population.
Limitations to consider
A discipline-specific sample may not represent all students. BMI does not measure body composition, dietary recall is imperfect and multiple comparisons can generate chance findings. Dietary patterns cannot be interpreted as causes of weight status.