Evidence-Based Nutrition Interventions Improved Adolescents’ Knowledge and Behaviors in Indonesia

Vanessa M. Oddo, Airin Roshita, Md Tajuddin Khan, Iwan Ariawan, Suman Chakrabarti, Doddy Izwardy, Jee Hyun Rah, Luh Ade Ari Wiradnyani

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Adolescence is a nutritionally vulnerable and critical life stage. However, few programs and policies focus on improving adolescent nutrition in Indonesia. To address this gap, we implemented a gender-responsive package of interventions: (1) breakfast and weekly iron-folic acid supplementation (WIFS), (2) a school-based nutrition education program, and (3) a social behavior change communication strategy. We surveyed 514 adolescents at baseline (2019) and endline (2020) in Klaten and Lombok Barat districts in Indonesia. The survey included a knowledge assessment on nutrition, as well as indicators of attitudes and behaviors on diet, physical activity, and WIFS. We employed multivariable linear and logistic regression to test for pre–post intervention differences. Overall knowledge was significantly higher post-intervention (β: 3.3; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.6, 3.9). Diet diversity was high at both timepoints, however, at post-intervention there was significantly higher odds of consuming vitamin A-rich fruits and vegetables (Odds Ratio [OR]: 1.5; 95% CI: 1.1, 2.0) and lower odds of consuming sugar-sweetened beverages (OR: 0.4; 95% CI: 0.3, 0.5). Post-intervention, there was higher odds of reporting 60 min of daily physical activity (OR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.7, 3.2) and WIFS among girls (OR: 6.7; 95% CI: 1.5, 30.9). The package of interventions may be a promising first step to improving adolescent nutrition in Indonesia.

Original languageEnglish
Article number1717
JournalNutrients
Volume14
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 May 2022

Keywords

  • adolescent nutrition
  • low-and middle-income countries
  • school-based intervention
  • social behavior change communication
  • weekly iron-folic acid supplementation

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