Dietary Patterns, Nutritional Status, and Anemia in Adolescent Girls: A Study at Public Junior High School 10 Gorontalo

Abstract

Background: Poor dietary patterns are one of the factors that may contribute to anemia. Good food quality and sufficient food quantity are essential for optimal body health, including anemia. Energy intake also plays a role in the formation of erythrocytes. Objective: The study aims to determine the relationship between dietary patterns and the incidence of anemia among adolescent girls at Public Junior High School 10 Gorontalo. Method: The study employed a cross-sectional design. The sampling technique used was purposive sampling, involving a total of 62 students. Data were collected through a dietary pattern questionnaire, observation, and analyzed using the Chi-square test. Results: A total of 30 respondents (48.4%) had moderate dietary patterns. In terms of nutritional status, 49 respondents (79%) had a normal nutritional status. The total prevalence of anemia in this study was 24.2%. The statistical test showed a p-value = 0.019, indicating a significant association between dietary patterns and anemia (p < 0.05). However, analysis of the association between nutritional status and anemia showed a p-value = 0.474, indicating no significant relationship between nutritional status and anemia (p > 0.05). Conclusion: There was a significant association between dietary patterns and anemia (p = 0.019). However, there was no association between nutritional status and the incidence of anemia among adolescent girls (p = 0.474). Improve diet quality such as high protein, green leave vegetable, consume iron supplementation was important to prevent anemia among adolescent girls.