Correlation of Knowledge Level with Body Mass Index and Chronic Energy Deficiency in Female Teenagers

Abstract

Background: In 2020, the prevalence of chronic energy deficiency (CED) in female teenagers aged 15–19 years in Indonesia, using the upper arm circumference (UAC) measurement indicator, was 36.3%, indicating that nutritional problem was a serious problem in female teenagers because they affect their health status. In addition to UAC, body mass index (BMI) indicates nutritional status in female teenagers. Knowledge is an indirect factor in nutritional problems in female teenagers. However, knowledge is an important variable that can be changed through health education.

Purpose: Analyzing the correlation between knowledge level with CED and BMI in female teenagers.

Methods: This study used the quantitative method with a cross-sectional approach. The research sample was 88 female teenagers at Madrasah Aliyah Negeri (MAN) 2 Sleman, collected using purposive sampling. The research instruments were questionnaires, measurement sheets, microtoise, weight scales, and UAC measuring tapes. The data analysis used chi-square.

Results: Most of the knowledge level of female teenagers is in the Poor category (73.9%). Most female teenagers have a normal BMI (69.3%) and do not suffer from CED (68.2%). Most female teenagers with the knowledge level in the Poor category have a normal BMI (73.8%) and do not suffer from CED (66.2%). There is no correlation between the knowledge level of female teenagers with BMI (p-value = 0.163) and CED (p-value = 0.492).

Conclusion: There is no correlation between the level of knowledge of female teenagers with CED and BMI at MAN 2 Sleman. However, the incidence of CED was found to be 31.8%, so further CED handling intervention is recommended.