Nutritional Status And Anemia In Adolescents: Preparation Of A Nutritional Lunch Program At SMPN 01 Kepulauan Seribu

Abstract

Adolescence, defined as the critical phase between 10–19 years of age, is characterized by biological, emotional, and social changes that require optimal nutritional intake. However, during this transitional stage, adolescents are vulnerable to the double burden of malnutrition—both undernutrition and overnutrition—as well as iron deficiency anemia. These conditions can negatively impact learning concentration, increase susceptibility to infections, impair cognitive function, and elevate the risk of non-communicable diseases in adulthood, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. National data indicate that the prevalence of anemia among Indonesian adolescents is 32%, with a higher rate among girls, and this problem is further exacerbated by limited access to healthcare services in island regions such as Pulau Pari, Kepulauan Seribu. To address this issue, Universitas YARSI conducted a community service program at SMPN 01 Pulau Pari to support the implementation of the Free Nutritious Food (MBG) Program. The activities aimed to improve nutrition literacy and facilitate early detection of anemia through educational sessions for teachers and students, accompanied by anthropometric and hemoglobin measurements. Education was delivered via presentations, posters, pocketbook distribution, and interactive discussions, while the health assessments provided baseline data on nutritional and anemia status. A total of 54 students participated, with findings revealing a double burden of malnutrition: 46% underweight, 19% overweight or obese, and 21% of female adolescents with anemia. These results highlight the urgent need for integrated, school-based promotive and preventive interventions. The School Health Unit (UKS) program can serve as a primary platform for sustaining nutrition interventions, iron supplementation, and adolescent health monitoring. With this baseline data, the successful implementation of the MBG program in Pulau Pari is expected to be replicable in other island regions with similar challenges.