Food and Nutrition Knowledge and Its Correlation with Breakfast Energy Intake Among Schoolchildren: A Cross-Sectional Study on the GENIUS Programme in Binjai
TL;DR
Investigation of food and nutrition knowledge and its correlation with breakfast energy intake among schoolchildren participating in the GENIUS programme in Binjai City, North Sumatra, Indonesia found higher food and nutrition knowledge is positively correlated with better breakfast energy intake adequacy among the schoolchildren.
Abstract
Evaluating the determinants of school age children dietary habits under national intervention initiatives is essential to address childhood malnutrition. Within the framework of the national Gerakan Edukasi dan Pemberian Pangan Bergizi untuk Siswa (GENIUS) programme, exploring how cognitive attributes influence actual dietary behaviors remains a critical research priority. The purpose of this study was to investigate food and nutrition knowledge and its correlation with breakfast energy intake among schoolchildren participating in the GENIUS programme in Binjai City, North Sumatra, Indonesia. This study used a cross-sectional design, analyzing secondary data compiled from 62 upper-grade students (grades 4-6) at SDN 023893 Binjai who participated in the national GENIUS programme in 2023. Samples were selected using a non-probability purposive sampling technique. Dietary intake was measured via a breakfast food recall form and processed using NutriSurvey software based on the Indonesian Food Composition Table. Food and nutrition knowledge was evaluated using a validated 10-item structured questionnaire. Univariate analysis indicated that while 53.2% of the children possessed moderate nutritional knowledge, a critical 75.8% suffered from a severe breakfast energy deficit. Bivariate analysis using the Spearman rank correlation test revealed a statistically significant relationship between the variables (p = 0.013, r = 0.314), demonstrating a positive, weak-to-moderate correlation. In conclusion, higher food and nutrition knowledge is positively correlated with better breakfast energy intake adequacy among the schoolchildren. These findings underscore that despite the structural support of the GENIUS programme, reinforcing structured school-based dietary education is vital to improve cognitive insights and mitigate the pervasive morning energy insufficiency observed among these student.