Raising Awareness of Young Millennials to Prevent Anemia, Vocational School of IPB University Educates Consumption of Iron-Rich Foods
The Food and Nutrition Service Industry Management Study Program (MIJMG) Vocational School (SV) IPB University provides education on the consumption of foods rich in iron (Fe). Through nutrition webinars, education is carried out to increase awareness of young millennials to prevent anemia.
Head of the MIJMG SV IPB University Study Program, Dr Rina Martini, said that this activity was a direct implementation of lecture material by students in the field of community service. The webinar presented Prof Dodik Briawan, MCN, and Anugrah Novianti, SGz, MGizi and was guided by Rosyda Dianah, SKM, MKM as the moderator.
“Anemia is still a nutritional problem in adolescents. The spectrum of the impact of anemia is very broad, starting from simple (appearance), moderate (productivity) and serious (stunting),” said Prof Dodik Briawan when he was the guest speaker for the webinar.
The IPB University lecturer said anemia could be caused by many factors including food quality, bleeding or infection, and genetics. “The quality of food for teenagers today is usually high in carbohydrates and fat but low in other nutrients so that the principle of balanced nutrition is not fulfilled,” he explained.
According to Anugrah Novianti, SGz, MGizi, some of the symptoms of anemia in adolescents include first, easily tired, weak, and not as active as teenagers their age. Second, the skin color is paler than usual, especially on the lips, the inside of the lower eyelids and nails.
“Apart from that, other symptoms are decreased appetite and difficulty concentrating while studying so that performance decreases. Stamina and immune system weaken so that you get sick easily. In cases of severe anemia, life-threatening heart failure can occur,” she explained.
He gave several examples of innovative high-iron dishes that can satisfy the appetite of teenagers, namely chicken liver gyoza, beef liver burger and milkfish katsu burrito. These dishes are modified forms of the dishes favored by today’s teenagers.
“Hopefully, this webinar can raise awareness for teenagers about preventing anemia with iron-rich foods. In addition, the participants in this activity can increase awareness of the impact of anemia, both in the long and short term so that it is hoped that it can reduce the prevalence of anemia in young millennials,” said Rosyda Dianah, SKM, MKM. (*/Rz) (IAAS/MFR).
