GIZI-QUEST: Interactive Nutrition and Anemia Education for Adolescents through KKN 52 at SMPN 22 Balikpapan

GIZI-QUEST: Edukasi Interaktif Gizi dan Anemia bagi Remaja melalui KKN 52 di SMPN 22 Balikpapan

Abstract

Adolescence is a strategic period for strengthening nutrition literacy because rapid growth increases nutrient needs and dietary habits may persist into reproductive age. This community service activity reports GIZI-QUEST, a KKN 52 nutrition and anemia education program implemented at SMPN 22 Balikpapan in collaboration with Puskesmas Sumber Rejo. The activity aimed to strengthen students' immediate knowledge of balanced nutrition and anemia prevention through interactive counseling, discussion, visual media, and the Wheel of Intelligence quiz game. Thirty-eight Grade VII students aged 12–13 years participated. Evaluation used the same pre-test and immediate post-test and was summarized descriptively. The mean score increased from 91.32 to 97.63 (+6.31 points; 6.91%), while the minimum score increased from 60 to 80 and the maximum remained 100. The score pattern indicates an immediate improvement in knowledge after the session. However, without a control group, inferential testing, or follow-up, the activity cannot establish causal effectiveness or changes in dietary behavior, anemia status, or stunting outcomes. GIZI-QUEST provides a feasible school-based KKN model for short-term nutrition literacy promotion and a basis for sustained school-health collaboration and longer-term evaluation.