Nurul Ilmi : Journal of Health Sciences and Midwifery
Vol. 4 No. 1 (2026): Nurul Ilmi: Journal of Health Sciences and Midwifery (March 2026)

Nutritional Status and Anemia: A Study in Adolescent Girls

Lusi Lestari (STIKes Muhammadiyah Ciamis)
Heni Marliany (STIKes Muhammadiyah Ciamis)
Pebri Yuliantini (STIKes Muhammadiyah Ciamis)
Sandriani Sandriani (STIKes Muhammadiyah Ciamis)



Article Info

Publish Date
30 Mar 2026

Abstract

Introduction: Anemia remains a common public health problem among adolescents, characterized by low hemoglobin levels. This group is more vulnerable due to menstruation, rapid growth, and increased iron requirements, which are often not balanced with a healthy diet. Furthermore, the perception of a less-than-ideal body image encourages adolescent girls to restrict their diet, resulting in suboptimal nutritional status. However, nutritional status plays a crucial role in the incidence of anemia because it is related to iron adequacy in the body. Therefore, it is necessary to examine the relationship between nutritional status and the incidence of anemia in adolescent girls as a preventative measure. Objective: This study aims to determine the relationship between nutritional status and the incidence of anemia in adolescent girls. Method The study used an analytical observational design with a cross-sectional approach, involving 47 grade VIII female adolescents at SMPN 5 Ciamis in 2026, who were taken using simple random sampling. Nutritional status was measured using Body Mass Index for age (BMI/A), while anemia was measured based on hemoglobin levels (Hb <12 g/dL). Data analysis was performed using the Chi-Square test with a significance level of 0.05. Result: The results of the study showed that the majority of respondents had normal nutritional status (48.9%) and did not have anemia (55.3%). However, 38.3% of adolescents had poor nutritional status and 44.7% had anemia. Bivariate analysis revealed a significant association between nutritional status and the prevalence of anemia (p = 0.008). Conclusion: This study confirms that nutritional status plays a crucial role in the development of anemia in adolescent girls. Therefore, schools and health professionals should promote balanced nutrition rich in iron and provide targeted health education about anemia prevention to adolescent girls.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

nuri

Publisher

Subject

Health Professions Nursing Public Health Veterinary

Description

Nurul Ilmi Journal is a midwifery journal managed by the STIKes Muhammadiyah Ciamis Midwifery Study Program with the scope of pre-marital, pre-conception, pregnancy, maternity, childbirth, neonates, infants, under-fives, pre-school children, family planning, reproductive health, adolescent health, ...