Abstract
Background: University students are particularly vulnerable to psychological distress due to the transitional nature of this life phase and increasing academic, social, and financial pressures. Accumulating evidence indicates that lifestyle behaviors-especially nutrition and physical activity-play a critical role in shaping mental health, cognitive functioning, and overall well-being in this population. Methods: The objective of this scoping review was to systematically map the literature on the combined impacts of diet and physical activity on psychological well-being among university students. Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, an initial search of three major databases (PubMed, Sciencedirect, and Wiley) yielded 718 articles. After a multi-stage screening process, 39 articles of various designs (including cross-sectional, interventional, and review studies) focusing on non-clinical student populations were included. The studies were then thematically analyzed. Results: While most research explored isolated behaviors, a smaller set of integrated studies revealed synergistic effects, reporting enhanced outcomes in mental health and quality of life. Notably, several articles proposed practical strategies-such as app-based tools, structured wellness initiatives, and interdisciplinary educational programs-as effective means to support healthier habits. Conclusions: The evidence strongly suggests that universities should prioritize holistic, multi-component wellness strategies over siloed, single-behavior initiatives. Developing integrated programs that combine nutritional education and physical activity support represents a practical and effective approach to enhance student well-being.