Savica and its partner, Modern Scientist Global (MSG) – a statistical and research consulting firm specializing in public health research – was appointed by UNICEF to conduct a mixed-method baseline survey to assess the nutritional status and its determinants among school-aged children in elementary schools in Tegal district, Central Java. This was the largest and most complete survey of its kind in this area so far.
The field team measured the height, weight and haemoglobin concentrations of 1883 fourth grade students in 115 schools. In addition, interviews with the students and their parents were conducted to collect information on sociodemographic characteristics, food intake, physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic, and nutritional knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of both children and their caretakers. Qualitative interviews with stakeholders related to health and nutrition programs in primary schools and secondary quantitative data were used to supplement the findings. Results from this study were used as the basis to implement UNICEF’s Sekolah/Madrasah Sehat modeling.
Our findings showed that both under- and overnutrition are present in elementary school children; this is referred to as the triple burden of malnutrition, and increases the risk of suboptimal growth and development as well as the development of health problems later in life.
