Journal of Community Nutrition Intervention

Maternal Education, Religious Affiliation, and Child Undernutrition in Mion District, Ghana: Evidence of a Public Health Emergency

Noble Tiire — 2026-09-12

This study addresses this evidence gap by investigating maternal determinants of child nutritional status in a predominantly rural district where no prior published study had examined these relationships. A community-based analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 340 mother-child pairs. Systematic random sampling was employed at Child Welfare Clinics across five sub-districts of Mion District. Associations between maternal factors and nutritional outcomes were assessed via bivariate chi-square and Fisher's exact tests at p < 0.05. Prevalence of stunting (22.4%), wasting (15.8%), and underweight (18.3%) significantly exceeded national averages of 18.4%, 5.3%, and 10.4% respectively. Notably, wasting exceeded the WHO emergency threshold of 15%, indicating a critical public health situation. Significant associations were identified between household income and wasting (p = 0.03), maternal religious affiliation and underweight (p = 0.006), and maternal educational level and stunting (p < 0.001). Stunting prevalence unexpectedly increased with maternal education, likely attributable to small sample sizes in higher education tiers and uncontrolled confounding. Maternal age, marital status, and occupation were not significantly associated with any nutritional outcome. Undernutrition in Mion District has reached WHO-defined emergency levels, necessitating an immediate scale-up of Community-based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) services. Interventions must be culturally tailored, engaging religious and community leaders to address nutritional disparities linked to religious affiliation, while integrating social protection programmes, including targeted cash transfers, to mitigate the impact of low household income on acute malnutrition.

The Association of Restrained Eating, Obesogenic Food Consumption, Physical Activity, and Body Image with Overweight Among Adolescents at SMPN 1 Kelapa Dua Tangerang

Nabillah Nur Alfi — 2026-09-12

Overweight among adolescents is a public health concern due to its increasing prevalence, rising globally from 8% to 20% among individuals aged 5–19 years. This condition increases the risk of persistence into adulthood and the development of non-communicable diseases. Besides dietary patterns and physical activity, behavioral factors such as restrained eating, obesogenic food consumption, and body image are considered to influence overweight. However, studies examining these factors among junior high school adolescents remain limited. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between restrained eating, obesogenic food consumption, physical activity, and body image with the incidence of overweight among adolescents. A cross-sectional design was conducted involving 75 eighth-grade students of SMPN 1 Kelapa Dua Tangerang selected using proportionate stratified random sampling. Restrained eating was assessed using the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ), obesogenic food consumption using a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), physical activity using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A), and body image using the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ). Nutritional status was determined based on BMI-for-age (BMI/A). Bivariate analysis was performed using the Chi-Square test. The results showed significant associations between restrained eating (p=0.001; OR=14.025; 95% CI=3.847-51.126) and body image (p=0.001; OR=119.167; 95% CI=13.183-1077.203) with overweight. Meanwhile, obesogenic food consumption (p=1.000) and physical activity (p=0.335) were not significantly associated. In conclusion, restrained eating behavior and body image are important factors related to adolescent overweight. Therefore, school-based nutrition education should focus on promoting healthy eating behaviors and fostering a positive body image through counseling and regular nutritional status monitoring in School Health Services (UKS).

Impact of Digital Pocketbook-Based Nutrition Counseling on Knowledge and Nutrient Intake Among Obese Workers: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Paulina Paulina — 2026-09-13

Obesity remains a growing public health challenge; however, effective nutrition education strategies remain limited. A preliminary study conducted on December 15, 2024, at a community health center (Puskesmas) Manggar, Balikpapan, involving 10 obese workers, indicated that while participants recognized the definition of obesity, most lacked practical understanding regarding weight management and preventive dietary modification. Historically, nutrition education at this facility has been limited to leaflet distribution; therefore, there is a clear need for more interactive and sustainable intervention methods. This study aimed to analyze the impact of balanced nutrition counseling using a digital pocketbook as an educational medium on the knowledge and nutrient intake of obese workers at Puskesmas Manggar, Balikpapan. A quasi-experimental study with a one-group pretest–posttest design was conducted among 32 obese workers selected via total sampling. Knowledge (Guttman questionnaire) and nutrient intake (2×24-hour dietary recall) were assessed before and after intervention with digital pocketbook-based counseling and analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results showed a significant improvement in knowledge, with scores shifting from "fair" and "poor" categories to "good" for all participants (p < 0.001). Intakes of energy, protein, fat, and carbohydrates also improved significantly, trending toward the normal range (p < 0.001). Pocketbook-based balanced nutrition counseling is effective in enhancing knowledge and optimizing nutrient intake among patients with obesity. Given its low cost and simplicity, this intervention is readily scalable for integration into routine nutrition counseling services at Puskesmas Manggar and other similar primary healthcare facilities.

Community Preparedness for Addressing Health Issues Following Tidal Floods: A Case Study of Sirenja Village, Donggala Regency

Jusman Rau — 2026-09-13

Indonesia is among the countries most affected by disaster-related mortality. Disasters in Indonesia are caused not only by its geographical characteristics but also by climate change. Tidal floods represent one of the climate-related hazards resulting from sea-level rise and land subsidence. In Central Sulawesi, particularly Donggala Regency, tidal flooding frequently affects coastal communities and may lead to various health problems. This study aims to describe the level of community preparedness and health problems experienced following tidal floods in Sirenja Village, Donggala Regency. A quantitative descriptive approach was applied using questionnaire-based data collection involving 111 respondents. Community preparedness was assessed through four parameters: knowledge and attitudes, emergency response planning, early warning systems, and resource mobilization. The findings indicate that community preparedness was predominantly classified as moderate, accounting for 83 respondents (74.8%). Regarding post-flood health outcomes, 63 respondents (56.8%) reported no health issues, while 35 respondents (31.5%) experienced diarrhea following tidal flood events. These findings suggest that although most communities demonstrate a moderate level of preparedness, gaps remain in preventing post-disaster health risks, particularly diarrhea. This study highlights the importance of strengthening community-based disaster preparedness programs and integrating post-flood public health interventions, including emergency response training, health education, and sanitation promotion. Such strategies may enhance community resilience and reduce disease vulnerability in coastal regions exposed to recurrent tidal flooding

PowerPoint versus Leaflet Delivery of "CEMAS" Nutrition Education for Mothers of Stunted Children: A Quasi-Experimental Study in Balikpapan, Indonesia

Lale Harwindi Silviana — 2026-09-13

To compare the effect of "CEMAS" (Cegah Malnutrisi dengan Aksi Sehat / Preventing Malnutrition with Healthy Action) nutrition education delivered through a facilitated PowerPoint presentation versus a printed leaflet on maternal knowledge and self-reported parenting practices. In a two-group pretest posttest quasi-experimental study, 60 mothers of stunted children aged 6 59 months were randomly sampled from the eligible register of a primary health centre catchment area in South Balikpapan District and allocated by service schedule to a PowerPoint group (n = 30) or a leaflet group (n = 30); individual random assignment was not performed. Each group received a single 30 60 minute CEMAS session. Within-group change was tested with paired t-tests and between-group difference in change with independent-samples t-tests, with an analysis of covariance adjusting for baseline score as a supporting analysis. Knowledge and parenting-practice scores rose in both groups (all p < 0.001). The mean pre-to-post change was larger in the PowerPoint group for knowledge (8.30 versus 5.00 points) and for parenting practice (12.43 versus 4.30 points). Post-intervention scores also favoured PowerPoint for knowledge (mean difference 5.13; 95% CI 3.94 to 6.32; p < 0.001; Cohen's d = 2.23) and for parenting practice (mean difference 5.83; 95% CI 4.70 to 6.96; p < 0.001; Cohen's d = 2.67). Baseline scores differed between groups, so these estimates are not adjusted for the starting point unless stated. CEMAS-based nutrition education improved maternal knowledge and self-reported parenting practices under both delivery formats, with larger gains under the PowerPoint format. Because allocation was not random, follow-up was short and no anthropometric outcome was measured, any effect on child linear growth remains unestablished and requires confirmation in controlled studies.