The Relationship between Dietary Diversity and Physical Activity with Nutritional Status among Members of the Pickleball Student Activity Unit at Universitas Negeri Surabaya

Abstract

Background: Nutritional status plays an important role in maintaining the health and physical performance of physically active university students. Dietary diversity and physical activity are among the factors associated with nutritional status. Purpose: This study aimed to examine the relationship between dietary diversity and physical activity with nutritional status among members of the Pickleball Student Activity Unit at Universitas Negeri Surabaya. Methods: This quantitative study used a cross-sectional design and involved 38 active members of the Pickleball Student Activity Unit in the 2025–2026 period through total sampling. Dietary diversity was assessed using a Semi-Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (SQ-FFQ) based on the Individual Dietary Diversity Score (IDDS), physical activity was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF), and nutritional status was determined using Body Mass Index (BMI). Data were analyzed using the Spearman Rank correlation test at a significance level of 0.05. Result: Most respondents had high dietary diversity (55.3%), vigorous physical activity (73.7%), and normal nutritional status (36.8%). Dietary diversity was associated with nutritional status (p=0.013; rₛ=0.400), as was physical activity (p=0.050; rₛ=-0.321). By sex, both relationships were found among males, namely dietary diversity (p=0.041; rₛ=0.404) and physical activity (p=0.019; rₛ=-0.455), but not among females. By faculty, neither relationship was significant among FIKK or non-FIKK respondents. Conclusion: Dietary diversity and physical activity were associated with nutritional status among members of the Universitas Negeri Surabaya Pickleball Student Activity Unit.