Adolescent Nutrition Action as a Part of Achieving Healthy Generation in SMPN 37 Babakan Sari Kiaracondong Bandung

Health promotion in schools is a strategic step in improving public health. This is because health promotion through the school community is quite effective in increasing public awareness in carrying out clean and healthy living behaviors. School age is very good for providing education and understanding about Clean and Healthy Life Behavior (PHBS), one of which is education about nutrition. Optimal nutrition intake, both in terms of quantity and quality, is very important for optimal growth and development. For this reason, our diet needs to be improved towards the consumption of balanced nutrition. Balanced nutrition is a balanced diet of daily food that contains nutrients in the type and amount according to the body's needs. The purpose of the activity is to create students, teachers and the school environment community to implement PHBS, create a healthy, clean and comfortable school environment, be able to improve education in schools, create health services in schools that can be put to good use, especially nutrition action. The method used is the lecture method via whatsapp, poster installation, question and answer and group discussion. The results of the health education activities were approximately 67 participants. The counseling participants looked enthusiastic when the material was given. Participants participated in the counseling happily because the counseling was carried out in a fun way. The counseling activity was conducive because the participants paid attention to the material presented well. This is evidenced by the number of participants who are interested in answering questions during the question and answer session. Participants participated in the counseling happily because the counseling was carried out using a fun online method. Counseling activities are conducive because the community pays attention to the material presented well

The New Standardized Malaysian Healthy Eating Index

Healthy Eating Index (HEI) is a diet quality measure that assesses the population’s compliance towards dietary guidelines. In Malaysia, diet quality measure, though existing, has some limitations in terms of application and relevance. This study aims to develop a new standardized Malaysian Healthy Eating Index (S-MHEI) that can measure the diet quality of all Malaysians regardless of their energy requirement level. The Malaysian Dietary Guidelines (MDG) 2010 and MDG for Children and Adolescents (MDGCA) 2013 were used as main references in developing the index components. In addition, the latest Malaysian Adults Nutrition Survey (MANS) and Adolescent Nutrition Survey (ANS) were also referred to ensure the relevance of the components selected. For adequacy components, the least restrictive method was used in setting the standard for the scoring system. Meanwhile, the scoring system for moderation components was built based on the Recommended Nutrient Intake (RNI) 2017. The new S-MHEI comprises of 11 components with a maximum total score of 100. The least restrictive method allowed the index to be used across energy requirement levels. However, the index will not be sensitive towards adhering to the specific recommended amount of intake—which in effect, made the index focus on measuring diet quality rather than diet quantity.

Calcium and iron intakes of adolescents in Malaysia and their relationships with body mass index (BMI): Findings from the Adolescent Nutrition Survey 2017

Introduction: Adolescent health is a priority considering they represent the future generation. Data from the Adolescent Nutrition Survey 2017 were analysed to determine the prevalence of micronutrient inadequacy, particularly calcium and iron, and the relationship with body mass index (BMI) among Malaysian secondary school students. Methods: This cross-sectional study included students aged 13 to 17 years old studying at public and private schools. Twenty-four hours dietary recall via face-to-face interview was conducted by trained nutritionists to obtain data on dietary intake. For nutritional status, BMI-for-age z-score (BAZ) was analysed using WHO Anthroplus software. Results: From 999 respondents, 449 were boys and 550 were girls. Overall findings indicated that both boys and girls had inadequate intakes of calcium and iron in their daily diet. Mean intakes of calcium (695.7±463.2 mg/day) and iron (23.4±21.0 mg/day) were higher among boys aged 16 to 17 years old. Mean intake of iron were higher among the older age groups. Majority of the respondents (boys: 94%; girls: 97%) did not meet the recommended nutrient intake (RNI) for calcium and more than half (boys: 50%; girl: 80%) did not achieve the RNI for iron. Current findings also found significant positive but weak correlations between calcium (r=0.112, p=0.001) and iron (r=0.084, p=0.008) intakes with BMI-for-age. Conclusion: BMI-for-age was related to calcium and iron intakes among secondary school students in Malaysia. Thus, intervention strategies should focus on early screening and nutrition education on food choices of high calcium and high iron contents, including iron supplementation programmes, if needed.

Contribution of community health volunteers in facilitating mobilization for nutritional screening among adolescents (10-19 years) residing in urban Puducherry, India – an operational research study

Background: Many countries have experimented with community health volunteers (CHVs) to expand their health systems. Adolescents represent 20% of India's population and serve as a vital resource in transforming its social and economic fortunes. Thus, we aimed at evaluating the contribution of CHVs in mobilizing adolescents for the adolescent health clinics (focusing on adolescent nutrition and anaemia) in a selected primary health centre (PHC) of Puducherry.Methods: A community-based operational research study was conducted in the urban field practice area of JIPMER, Puducherry. Around 5-6 volunteers were selected from each of the 13 anganwadis functioning under the PHC. The volunteers were interviewed before enrolment for willingness. About four batches of sensitization and training sessions were conducted to provide necessary training regarding the prioritized topic. CHVs were then given three months to mobilize the adolescents. This model was evaluated using the theoretical underpinning technique.Results: Of the total 85 CHVs suggested, around 65 (76.5%) showed willingness in rendering services. About 32 (49.2%) discontinued during the initial weeks of the intervention due to various reasons. The remaining CHVs reached 61 (17.2%) new adolescents and motivated around 48 (78.6%) individuals to visit the health center. All 48 were screened for malnutrition and anemia. About 25 (52%), 5 (10.2%) and 31 (64%) adolescents were diagnosed to have undernourishment (BMI<18.5), obesity (BMI>25) and anaemia (Hb<12) respectively.Conclusions: About half of the CHVs who volunteered remained till the end. The involved volunteers improved the adolescent coverage by tripling the number of adolescent beneficiaries.

A Qualitative Inquiry into the Eating Behavior and Physical Activity of Adolescent Girls and Boys in Indonesia

Background: Despite the rising double burden of malnutrition, adolescent nutrition has received little attention in Indonesia. Eating and physical activity behaviors established in adolescence are known to track into adulthood and may contribute to chronic diseases in later life. This study aimed to explore the eating behaviors and physical activity of Indonesian adolescents, and their influencing factors. Methods: The study, designed as a qualitative study, was conducted in 2 selected districts in Indonesia: Klaten and Lombok Barat. Data were collected through immersion, open and informal discussions, and participant observations with 302 adolescent girls and boys. Results: The eating and physical activity behaviors of adolescent boys and girls are influenced by contextual changes in their family lifestyles and environment. The adolescents in this study only conflate physical activity with participation in sport. Even when a wider view of physical activity is cast, their level of physical activity remains low, especially for adolescent girls. Adolescents and their families generally eat 3 meals a day, with schools an important source of food for adolescents. Adolescents skip breakfast at home, and breakfast and lunch are usually purchased and eaten at school. Fewer families cook and families rarely eat together due to increasingly busy lives, increased mobility, and digital connectivity. Conclusions: The rapid contextual shifts taking place in Indonesia influence the home, school, and peer environment to shape eating behaviors and physical activity among adolescent boys and girls. Gender-responsive multicomponent school-based interventions have the potential to serve as an important entry point for influencing adolescent nutrition.