Sign in Subscribe
COVID-19

Adolescent Health Impacted by COVID-19 Pandemic

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

During the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers investigated the relationship between sedentary activities, fruit and vegetable consumption, and nutritional status among adolescents in Samarinda, Indonesia. A study conducted by Mulawarman University revealed that over 18% of adolescents had inadequate nutritional status. The research aimed to explore the link between sedentary activities, fruit and vegetable consumption, and nutritional status among high school students. The findings suggested that certain sedentary activities, such as doing assignments without a laptop/computer and reading for pleasure, were associated with nutritional status. However, fruit and vegetable consumption showed no significant association with nutritional status.

Key Takeaways:

  • A study conducted by Mulawarman University found that over 18% of adolescents in Samarinda, Indonesia, had inadequate nutritional status during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The research aimed to explore the relationship between sedentary activities, fruit and vegetable consumption, and nutritional status among high school students.
  • Certain sedentary activities, such as doing assignments without a laptop/computer (p=0.029) and reading for pleasure (p=0.038), were linked to nutritional status.
  • Gender, maternal occupation, and average monthly parental income were found to be associated with nutritional status (p=0.020; p=0.038; p=0.045).
  • Fruit and vegetable consumption showed no significant association with nutritional status (p=0.102; p=0.121).
  • Educating adolescents within families and schools regarding the significance of physical activity and balanced nutrition is imperative.

Statistics:

  • 18% of adolescents in Samarinda, Indonesia, had inadequate nutritional status during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • 300 high school students participated in the cross-sectional study conducted between October and December 2021.
  • Chi-square test and Fisher exact test were employed for data analysis.
  • The study found a significant association between certain sedentary activities and nutritional status (p<0.05).

Sources:

  • "Fruit And Vegetable Consumption, Sedentary Activities, And Nutrition Status in Senior High School Students During Covid-19 Pandemic: An Observational Study" (The Indonesian Journal of Public Health, 2025, 20(1):44-56)
  • University of Airlangga (publisher of The Indonesian Journal of Public Health)
  • Ratih Wirapuspita Wisnuwardani (Department of Public Health, Faculty of Public Health, Mulawarman University, Samarinda, East Kalimantan, Indonesia)
  • Umi Cahyantari, Reny Noviasty, Nurul Afiah, Rina Tri Agustini, Eva R Kurniawati (authors of the study)

Read more