Relationship between Nutritional Status and the Incidence of Anemia in College Students

Anemia remains a persistent public health problem in Indonesia, particularly among young adults, driven by nutritional deficiencies, poor dietary habits, and physiological factors. This study investigated the association between nutritional status and anemia among health science students to address the limited understanding of its determinants in this population. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 678 undergraduate students from five health science programs. Data collection included demographic surveys, anthropometric measurements (body mass index and mid-upper arm circumference), dietary assessments using a food frequency questionnaire, and hemoglobin measurement with a standardized hemoglobinometer. Statistical analysis using SPSS v27.0 applied chi-square, ANOVA, and correlation tests to explore the associations between nutritional indicators and anemia prevalence. The overall prevalence of anemia was 18.7%, significantly higher in females (20.8%) than males (9.7%; p=0.038). Most participants had normal BMI (60.9%), while obesity was more frequent among males (23.4%) and underweight status among females (10.5%). Malnutrition based on mid-upper arm circumference was observed in 21.8% of participants. Weak but significant positive correlations were found between BMI (r=0.155, p=0.001) and mid-upper arm circumference (r=0.171, p=0.001) with hemoglobin levels. These findings highlight the importance of nutritional status and dietary behaviors in anemia prevention. Strengthened health promotion, nutritional education, and regular screening are essential to reduce anemia among young adults.