RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ATTITUDES AND TYPES OF SNACK FOODSAND STUDENT STATUS AT STATE ELEMENTARY SCOOL 24 NORTHPONTIANAK DISTRICT

Abstract

Background: Elementary school-aged children are vulnerable to nutritional problems because
they are in a period of rapid growth and development. The habit of consuming unhealthy snacks
can affect children’s nutritional status. Snack food choices, children’s attitudes, and the types of
food frequently consumed.
Objective: To determine the relationship between attitudes and types of snack foods and the
nutritional status of elementary school-aged children at SD Negeri 24 North Pontianak.
Methods: This study used a cross-sectional design. The sample consisted of students at SD Negeri
24 North Pontianak selected using a sampling technique according to the research criteria. The
population consisted of 282 students, while the sample comprised 74 students. Data were
collected using an attitude questionnaire, an SQ-FFQ form for types of snack foods, and
anthropometric measurements to determine nutritional status. Data were analyzed using the chisquare statistical test.
Results: Most respondents had fairly good attitudes toward choosing snack foods. The most
commonly consumed snack foods were packaged snacks and sweetened beverages. Most
respondents had normal nutritional status. The analysis showed a relationship between attitudes
and types of snack foods and students’ nutritional status, with p-value = 0.002 and Prevalence
Ratio (PR) = 1.82. There was no relationship between snack food selection and students’
nutritional status, with p-value = 0.071 and Prevalence Ratio (PR) = 0.43.
Conclusion: There is a significant relationship between attitudes and the types of snack foods
and the nutritional status of elementary school-aged children at SD Negeri 24 Pontianak Utara.