Iron Intake and Hemoglobin Levels in Stunting in Adolescent
Abstract: Growth problem, such
as stunting is still a major issue in the world. The prevalence of stunting in
Indonesia increases throughout the years. Chronic undernutrition in adolescent
with stunting, low socioeconomic, and education levels in a family can
contribute to low iron intake. Low iron intake leads to low hemoglobin level.
This study aimed to compare iron intake and hemoglobin level between stunting
and non-stunting adolescent.
Methods: This study was conducted to 59 respondents aged 11–14 years old
from a Junior High School in Jatinangor, West Java from September to October
2014. Those respondents were divided into two groups: stunting and non-stunting
group. This study was an analytic comparative study using cross-sectional
method. Data were collected through body height measurement, hemoglobin level
examination, and interviews of iron-containing food intake. The collected data
were analyzed using t-test and Mann-Whitney U test.
Results: Twenty eight of 59 subjects were stunting and 31 were normal.
The mean of hemoglobin level was 12.95 (0.95) in stunting adolescent and 13.66
(1.35) in non-stunting adolescent. The mean iron intake was 23.9 (24.39) mg/day
in stunting adolescent and 23 (22.6) mg/day in non-stunting adolescent. There
was a difference of hemoglobin between those groups, but not in iron intake.
Conclusions: Stunting adolescent has lower hemoglobin levels compared to
non-stunting adolescent. There is no difference of iron intake levels between
stunting and non-stunting adolescent.
Keywords: Hemoglobin, iron
intake, stunting
Author: Addistyane Puristasari,
Siti Nur Fatimah, Faisal
Journal Code: jpkedokterangg160233
