Journal of Health and Nutrition Research

Water Intake, Hydration Status, and Physiological Fluid Requirements among Universitas Tanjungpura Students during Equatorial Solar Culmination in Pontianak, Indonesia

Dzul Fadly — 2025-12-01

Water is an essential nutrient that plays a central role in maintaining physiological functions, including thermoregulation, nutrient transport, and metabolic balance. Pontianak, a city located precisely on the equatorial line, experiences a humid tropical climate with intense solar exposure. Although ambient temperatures during the study period remain within the city’s normal range, the solar equinox substantially increases direct solar radiation intensity, resulting in greater heat exposure and potential fluid loss. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between water intake and physiological fluid requirements among Universitas Tanjungpura students during the autumnal solar equinox (September 21-23). A cross-sectional design was applied involving 100 students aged 18–22 years selected through purposive sampling. Water intake was assessed using two consecutive 24-hour dietary recalls, and individual fluid requirements were estimated using the standard energy-based hydration formula (1 mL per kcal of total energy expenditure), with energy needs calculated using the Harris–Benedict equation. Pearson’s correlation test was used to analyze the association, with water intake treated as the independent variable. The results showed that mean water intake was 1,706 ± 485 ml/day, while mean physiological fluid requirements reached 1,954 ± 349 ml/day; 45% of participants met adequate hydration levels. A strong and significant positive correlation was observed between water intake and fluid requirements (r = 0.62; p < 0.001). Urine color assessment indicated that 40% of students exhibited signs of mild to moderate dehydration. These findings suggest that most students did not achieve optimal hydration, particularly under elevated environmental heat associated with solar culmination

Maternal Parenting Patterns and Their Association with Stunting Among Children Aged 24–59 Months in Tanah Toa Village, Bulukumba Regency

Sukfitrianty Syahrir — 2025-12-01

Stunting remains a persistent problem in Tanah Toa Village, where high rates of growth faltering are closely linked to inadequate maternal parenting practices related to nutrition, hygiene, and health care. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between maternal parenting patterns including feeding practices, psychosocial stimulation, hygiene practices, environmental sanitation, and health service utilization and stunting among children aged 24–59 months in Tanah Toa Village, Bulukumba Regency. This cross-sectional study involved 111 mother–child pairs, with data collected from October to November 2020 using structured questionnaires and anthropometric measurements. Data were analyzed using the Chi-square test and binary logistic regression using SPSS version 26.0. The results showed significant associations between stunting and hygiene practices (p = 0.003), environmental sanitation (p = 0.000), health service utilization (p = 0.049), and overall maternal parenting patterns (p = 0.000). Multivariate analysis identified maternal parenting patterns as the most dominant factor influencing stunting (p = 0.010; OR = 0.124; 95% CI = 0.03 to 0.62). Children raised by mothers with good parenting practices were 0.124 times less likely to experience stunting compared to those raised by mothers with poor parenting. These findings highlight that comprehensive parenting which involves nutrition, hygiene, and health care plays a critical role in preventing stunting. Interventions should integrate nutrition education, maernal empowerment, and culturally grounded health promotion to accelerate stunting reduction at the community level.

Iron, Enhancer, and Inhibitor Intake in Relation to Ferritin and Hemoglobin Levels Among Adolescent Girls in Pekalongan, Central Java

Yuliana Kusuma Damayanti — 2025-12-01

Anemia among Indonesian adolescent girls remains a major issue, with 15.5% nationally and 49.47% in Pekalongan affected. Ferritin, a sensitive marker of iron stores, reflects early iron deficiency influenced by diet, enhanced by vitamin C, and inhibited by calcium and phytic acid. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between iron, enhancer, and inhibitor intake and ferritin and hemoglobin levels in adolescent girls. An observational study with a cross-sectional design was conducted among 80 female students in Pekalongan, Central Java. Intake of iron, protein, vitamin A, vitamin C, fiber, calcium, and phytic acid was assessed using a Semi-Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (SQ-FFQ). Hemoglobin levels were measured using a Hematology Analyzer, and ferritin was analyzed using the ELISA method. Data were analyzed using Pearson or Spearman correlation and multiple linear regression tests. The results show that ferritin levels were significantly correlated with iron (r = 0.293; p = 0.008) and vitamin C intake (r = 0.298; p = 0.007), and negatively correlated with calcium and phytic acid (r = –0.673; p < 0.001). Hemoglobin levels were correlated with protein (r=0.232; p=0.035), calcium (r=–0.240; p=0.032), and phytic acid (r=–0.241; p=0.032). Multivariate analysis revealed that ferritin levels were influenced simultaneously by iron, vitamin C, and calcium intake (CI: 95%, p < 0.001), while hemoglobin levels were influenced simultaneously by protein, fiber, and phytic acid intake (CI: 95%, p = 0.019). Iron, vitamin C, calcium, protein, fiber, and phytic acid intake influence ferritin and hemoglobin levels. Ferritin should be used as an early marker of iron deficiency, and interventions promoting higher iron and vitamin C intake while limiting inhibitors are recommended for adolescent girls.

The Effect of Bay Leaf (Syzygium polyanthum) Decoction on Lowering Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Patients

Ahmad Syaripudin — 2025-12-01

Hypertension is a chronic disease and a leading cause of global mortality, prompting interest in non-pharmacological therapies. This study aimed to investigate the effect of bay leaf (Syzygium polyanthum) decoction on blood pressure changes in patients with hypertension. This pre-experimental study employed a one-group pre-test-post-test design with 30 hypertensive patients at the Watubelah Public Health Center in Cirebon Regency. The intervention consisted of a decoction of 10 bay leaves boiled in 400 mL of water until 200 mL remained, which was consumed twice daily for seven days. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon test. The results showed a significant decrease in the mean systolic blood pressure from 153.6 mmHg to 138.4 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure from 93.8 mmHg to 84.1 mmHg (p = 0.001). This study concludes that bay leaf decoction is associated with a significant reduction in blood pressure in hypertensive patients, suggesting its potential as a complementary therapy in nursing practice.

The Association Between Social Interaction and Nutritional Status: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Health-Promoting Campus Setting

Fahmi Hafid — 2025-12-01

This study aimed to analyze the relationship between fruit and vegetable intake, physical activity, nutritional status, and social interaction among the academic community at Polkesbaya Corner, a health-promotion facility developed by Poltekkes Kemenkes Surabaya as part of the “Healthy Campus Initiative.” Polkesbaya Corner serves as a campus-based innovation designed to integrate nutrition education, physical activity, and social engagement, supporting the 3rd Sustainable Development Goal (Good Health and Well-being). A cross-sectional study was conducted among 363 respondents selected through proportionate stratified random sampling. Data were collected using a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), 24-hour dietary recall, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), anthropometric measurements, and sociometric observation. A statistical association was observed between social interaction and nutritional status (p = 0.024), whereas fruit and vegetable intake and physical activity were not significantly associated with this outcome. Overall, 52.3% of respondents had normal nutritional status, while 31.7% were overweight. Most participants performed light physical activity (79.3%) and consumed sautéed vegetables (74.1%) and sliced fruits (68.9%). These findings highlight the crucial role of social engagement in promoting healthy behaviors within the campus environment. Therefore, Polkesbaya Corner can serve as a “living laboratory” to foster a culture of health by integrating nutrition education, physical activity, and social participation—supporting the national health promotion agenda and the achievement of SDG 3.