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FRUIT AND VEGETABLE-RELATED KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES AMONG MALNOURISHED ADOLESCENT GIRLS ON SMALL ISLANDS: A QUASI-EXPERIMENTAL STUDY IN INDONESIAN

M.Bambang Uswatul Firdaus*, Healthy Hidayanty, Aminuddin Syam, Veni Hadju, Rahayu Indriasari, Shanti Riskiyani

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Abstract

Background:

Adolescent girls often do not adhere to dietary recommendations, leading to a high prevalence of malnutrition due to low fruit and vegetable consumption. This study aims to examine the effects of nutrition education interventions on nutritional knowledge and fruit and vegetable consumption among malnourished adolescent girls in the small islands of Indonesia.

Materials and Methods:

This study used a quasi-experimental, non-randomized pre-post test with a control group design involving a purposive sample of 92 adolescent girls (intervention group (IG) = 46, control group (CG) = 46). The IG received nutrition education based on social cognitive theory (SCT), including a module and education for the mother. In contrast, the delayed CG only received leaflet education. Educational interventions include 90 minutes of SCT-based nutrition education and 45 minutes of leaflet education every week for 12 weeks.

Results:

After nutrition education, there was a significant increase (p<0.05) in the variables of knowledge (6.64±2.67), fruit portions (1.90±1.09), vegetable portions (1.90±1.09), fruit intake and fruit diversity (10.95±5.36). However, there was no significant increase in the variables of diversity of vegetables (p=0.885). The bivariate test of mean differences showed significant differences (p<0.05), including knowledge (2.69 ± 2.95), fruit portion (1.65±1.47), and fruit diversity (4.74±5.84). The variables vegetable portions (p=0.218) and vegetable diversity (p=0.654) did not show significant differences.

Conclusions:

Implementing SCT-based nutritional education demonstrates a significant enhancement in knowledge levels, as well as an increase in both consumption rates and diversity of fruit types, even in small island regions characterized by food insecurity.

Keywords: Adolescent girls, Dietary Diversity, Fruits, Nutrition Education, Vegetables