Takalar, South Sulawesi — A community-based academic research activity focusing on adolescent nutrition and cognitive development was conducted in two schools in Takalar, involving 372 adolescent girls aged 11–17 years. The study was conducted under the leadership of Dr. Dwi Wahyu Balebu, SKM., MKM, as part of a scientific investigation aimed at examining the relationship between nutritional status and cognitive performance among adolescents, where nutritional inequality remains a persistent development challenge.
The activity was designed to evaluate key nutritional problems among adolescents, including chronic energy deficiency (CED), stunting, and inadequate dietary intake, and to assess how these conditions influence cognitive performance during a critical stage of physical and mental development. The study highlights how nutritional disparities can directly affect learning capacity, brain development, and long-term human capital potential in school-aged populations.
Data collection was carried out through structured questionnaires, anthropometric measurements, dietary assessments, and cognitive testing using the Culture Fair Intelligence Test (CFIT). This comprehensive approach enabled an integrated analysis of both physical nutritional status and cognitive outcomes, providing strong empirical evidence on adolescent development in resource-limited settings.
Session focus: assessment of adolescent nutritional status on cognitive
The findings revealed that nutritional problems remain highly prevalent among participants. Approximately 19.9% of adolescent girls experienced chronic energy deficiency, while 18% were classified as stunted, indicating long-term growth deficits. In addition, dietary analysis showed that more than 90% of respondents did not meet the recommended intake of essential nutrients, including protein, carbohydrates, iron, and vitamin C, reflecting poor dietary quality and limited access to nutritious food.
Importantly, the study demonstrated a significant relationship between nutritional status and cognitive performance. Adolescents with normal nutritional status achieved higher cognitive test scores compared to those experiencing stunting or chronic energy deficiency. Furthermore, regular consumption of iron-folic acid (IFA) supplements was associated with better cognitive outcomes, indicating the importance of micronutrient adequacy in supporting adolescent learning capacity.
Beyond biological factors, the study also identified socio-economic constraints as key determinants of poor nutritional status. Limited household income, low access to nutritious food, and unhealthy dietary habits were found to contribute to meal skipping and reliance on low-cost, low-nutrient snacks among adolescents, reflecting broader structural inequalities in food security and access.
This research is strongly aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2: Zero Hunger, through its focus on addressing adolescent malnutrition and inadequate dietary intake. It also contributes to SDG 4: Quality Education, by highlighting the critical role of nutrition in cognitive development and academic performance. In addition, it supports SDG 1: No Poverty, by demonstrating how socio-economic limitations influence nutritional outcomes and perpetuate vulnerability across generations.
