Abstract

Among university students in both developed and developing countries, overweight or obesity is a widespread phenomenon, emerging as one of the most acute health challenges facing these nations. College students are in a critical transitional phase from adolescence to adulthood, while simultaneously confronting new challenges in their lifestyles and environments. These new demands make them highly susceptible to developing poor dietary habits and irregular living patterns. This study aims to explore the relationship between knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to nutrition among university students in Zigong City, Sichuan Province, China, and their combined impact on body mass index (BMI). A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 400 students from Sichuan University of Light Industry, utilizing the standardized KAP-HEQ questionnaire and self-reported anthropometric data. Descriptive statistics revealed that participants' nutritional knowledge, attitudes, and practices were all at moderate levels. Correlation analysis revealed significant positive correlations among KAP dimensions. Regression analysis indicated that behavioral practices exerted the strongest negative predictive effect on BMI, followed by knowledge and attitudes. Together, these three factors explained 51.2% of the variance in BMI. The findings confirm that knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) are crucial for understanding and managing BMI among university students, underscoring the necessity for higher education institutions to implement comprehensive nutrition education programs. This study fills a gap in the literature by providing empirical evidence from a Chinese context. It offers a basis for developing targeted interventions to reduce obesity and promote lifelong healthy practices, thereby advancing academic discourse and progress in the field of public health.