School-Based Health Education to Improve Health Literacy: A Correlational Study on the Increase of Physical Activity and Students' Nutritional Status
Keywords:
Physical activity, Nutritional status, Health education
Abstract
Anemia remains a common issue among adolescents, often linked to an imbalance between physical activity and nutritional status. This study examined the impact of school-based health education on anemia prevalence. A total of 38 students aged 12–15 from MTs Dzunnuroin Malang City participated. Using a quasi-experimental one-group pretest–posttest design, the study evaluated changes in hemoglobin levels among female students. Data were collected through a Digital Hemoglobinometer, Body Mass Index assessment, and the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. The intervention included the “Active and Nutritious” class and a structured physical activity program over four weeks. Findings showed a positive correlation between moderate physical activity and hemoglobin levels (r = 0.321; p = 0.033), while nutritional status was not significantly related to anemia. After the intervention, average hemoglobin levels increased from 11.3 g/dL to 12.4 g/dL, and anemia prevalence decreased from 31.6% to 18.4%. The program also improved students’ awareness of active and healthy lifestyles. Overall, regular moderate physical activity combined with nutrition education effectively reduces anemia risk and supports adolescent health in schools
References
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Babatunde, A. O., Ogundijo, D. A., Afolayan, A.-G. O., Awosiku, O. V., Aderohunmu, Z. O., Oguntade, M. S., Alao, U. H., Oseni, A. O., Akintola, A. A., & Amusat, O. A. (2024). Mobile health technologies in the prevention and management of hypertension: A scoping review. DIGITAL HEALTH, 10. https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076241277172
Balarajan, Y., Ramakrishnan, U., Özaltin, E., Shankar, A. H., & Subramanian, S. (2011). Anaemia in low-income and middle-income countries. The Lancet, 378(9809), 2123–2135. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(10)62304-5
Beard, J., & Tobin, B. (2000). Iron status and exercise. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 72(2), 594S-597S. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/72.2.594S
Beers, P. J., Van Mierlo, B., & Hoes, A. C. (2016). Toward an integrative perspective on social learning in system innovation initiatives. Ecology and Society, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-08148-210133
Benseñor, I. M., Calich, A. L. G., Brunoni, A. R., Espírito-Santo, F. F. do, Mancini, R. L., Drager, L. F., & Lotufo, P. A. (2007). Accuracy of anemia diagnosis by physical examination. Sao Paulo Medical Journal, 125(3), 170–173. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1516-31802007000300008
Berger, M. M., & Shenkin, A. (2024). Micronutrient deficiency and supplements in schoolchildren and teenagers. Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition & Metabolic Care, 27(3), 266–274. https://doi.org/10.1097/MCO.0000000000001027
Beutler, E., & Waalen, J. (2006). The definition of anemia: what is the lower limit of normal of the blood hemoglobin concentration? Blood, 107(5), 1747–1750. https://doi.org/10.1182/blood-2005-07-3046
Cadenas-Sanchez, C., Lamoneda, J., & Huertas-Delgado, F. J. (2021). Association of Cardiorespiratory Fitness with Achievement Motivation in Physical Education in Adolescents. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(5), 2317. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18052317
Chaudhary, V., Saraswathy, K. N., & Sarwal, R. (2022). Dietary diversity as a sustainable approach towards micronutrient deficiencies in India. Indian Journal of Medical Research, 156(1), 31–45. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijmr.ijmr_3314_21
Efa, Y. T., Roder, D., Shi, Z., & Li, M. (2025). Clustering Patterns of Unhealthy Lifestyle Behaviours Among Adolescents: A Multilevel Analysis of a Nationally Representative School-Based Survey from 73 Countries. Nutrients, 17(4), 609. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17040609
Estrela, M., Leitão, C., Neto, V., Martins, B., Santos, J., Branquinho, A., Figueiras, A., Roque, F., & Herdeiro, M. T. (2025). Educational interventions for the adoption of healthy lifestyles and improvement of health literacy: a systematic review. Public Health, 245, 105788. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2025.105788
Guthold, R., Stevens, G. A., Riley, L. M., & Bull, F. C. (2020). Global trends in insufficient physical activity among adolescents: a pooled analysis of 298 population-based surveys with 1·6 million participants. The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, 4(1), 23–35. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2352-4642(19)30323-2
Jimenez, K., & Lang, M. (2016). Algorithmus zur Diagnose von Eisenmangelanämie. Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift, 166(13–14), 402–410. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10354-016-0495-5
Liu, J., Zhu, X., Fulda, K. G., Chen, S., & Tao, M.-H. (2019). Comparison of Dietary Micronutrient Intakes by Body Weight Status among Mexican-American and Non-Hispanic Black Women Aged 19–39 Years: An Analysis of NHANES 2003–2014. Nutrients, 11(12), 2846. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11122846
Manila, H. D. (2021). Hubungan Pola Makan dengan Kejadian Anemia pada Remaja Putri Kelas X SMA Murni Padang. Jurnal Kesehatan Saintika Meditory, 4(1), 77. https://doi.org/10.30633/jsm.v4i1.1033
Pasco, D., & Roure, C. (2022). Situational interest impacts college students’ physical activity in a design-based bike exergame. Journal of Sport and Health Science, 11(2), 172–178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jshs.2021.03.003
Sari, D. N., Hilmanto, D., Sunjaya, D. K., & Sari, P. (2025). Community-based interventions to improve adolescent nutrition: a scoping review. BMC Public Health, 25(1), 4394. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-25617-5
Sulistyowati, S., Alfisah, A., Ridha, M. R., & Rezki, F. A. (2023). Analisis Faktor Penyebab Stunting dan Pembagian Gizi Ringan sebagai Upaya Pemenuhan Gizi di Kelurahan Marang Bawah. Jurnal Kreativitas Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat, 6(12), 5564–5582.
Syaroful Anam, Feri Catur Yuliani, & Yeni Rusyani. (2025). Pengaruh Pendidikan Kesehatan Berbasis Digital terhadap Tingkat Pengendalian Hipertensi Dirumah Sakit Islam Pati. Jurnal Riset Ilmu Kesehatan Umum Dan Farmasi (JRIKUF), 3(4), 76–83. https://jurnal.stikeskesosi.ac.id/index.php/JRIKUF/article/view/876
Published
2026-04-27
How to Cite
Purnomosidi, M. R., MSY. Haura Kaiyyisah Zhafirah, Lucretia Zalfa Shabira, Rr. Breamitha Marsha Arradea, Tisnalia Merdya A, & Laras Putri Gamagitta. (2026). School-Based Health Education to Improve Health Literacy: A Correlational Study on the Increase of Physical Activity and Students’ Nutritional Status. International Journal of Education, Vocational and Social Science , 5(02), 571-584. https://doi.org/10.63922/ijevss.v5i02.3308
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