Investigate the relationship between nutritional knowledge and eating patterns

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 132 views

Picture of Body Image, Nutrition Knowledge, and Overweight and Obesity Women's Eating Patterns at Lady’s Center Medan in 2020

Introduction

In recent years, the issue of overweight and obesity has become a significant concern worldwide, particularly among women. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), being overweight or obese increases the risk of various health problems, including heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. In Indonesia, the prevalence of overweight and obesity among women is also increasing, with a significant number of women experiencing weight-related problems. This study aims to explore the picture of body image, nutritional knowledge, and eating patterns of women who experience overweight and obesity at Lady’s Center Medan in 2020.

Background

In 2020, a survey was conducted at Lady's Center Medan, involving 70 women who were active in sports. Of these, 42 women experienced weight problems, namely overweight and obesity. The initial results showed that as many as 26 out of 70 women (37.1%) participated in sports with the aim of losing weight and tightening the body. Many of them felt dissatisfied with their body image, assuming that their shape, size, and appearance were less attractive because they felt always fat. Dissatisfaction with this body image can have an impact on eating patterns, where their emotions can be freed through eating, which is at risk of causing stress. In this context, food choices and daily consumption can affect a person's nutritional status.

Methodology

This study used a descriptive research design with a cross-sectional approach. The data collection process was carried out through interviews, which included the Body Image assessment using the Figure Rating Scale (FRS) method, nutritional knowledge through a questionnaire, and eating patterns with 2x24 hours of food recall method. In this method, researchers asked for food and drinks consumed, including supplements and distractions, then converted food weight based on a list of food compositions.

Population and Sample

The population studied consisted of all members of the Lady’s Center, amounting to 52 people. However, only 70 women who were active in sports were selected for this study. The sample was selected using a non-probability sampling method, specifically convenience sampling.

Results

The results of this study showed a balanced ratio between respondents who had positive and negative body images, each by 50%. However, the nutritional knowledge of respondents was classified as lacking, which was 69.3%. In addition, the level of energy, protein, fat, and carbohydrate consumption was also in the lack of category, which was caused by the weight loss program they lived.

Discussion

The results of this study indicate that women who experience overweight and obesity at Lady’s Center Medan have a lack of nutritional knowledge and inadequate consumption of essential nutrients. This is consistent with previous studies that have shown a link between nutritional knowledge and eating patterns. The lack of nutritional knowledge can lead to poor food choices and inadequate consumption of essential nutrients, which can exacerbate weight-related problems.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of nutritional knowledge and balanced eating patterns in preventing overweight and obesity among women. The results of this study suggest that women who experience overweight and obesity at Lady’s Center Medan have a lack of nutritional knowledge and inadequate consumption of essential nutrients. Therefore, it is essential to provide education and training on nutritional knowledge and balanced eating patterns to prevent overweight and obesity problems in the future.

Recommendations

Based on the results of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Nutritional education: Provide education and training on nutritional knowledge and balanced eating patterns to women who experience overweight and obesity at Lady’s Center Medan.
Healthy food choices: Encourage women to make healthy food choices, such as consuming whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, and limiting their intake of processed and high-calorie foods.
Balanced eating patterns: Encourage women to maintain a balanced eating pattern, including three main meals and two to three snacks per day.
Regular physical activity: Encourage women to engage in regular physical activity, such as walking, jogging, or other sports, to help maintain a healthy weight and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

Limitations

This study has several limitations, including:

Small sample size: The sample size of this study was relatively small, which may limit the generalizability of the results.
Cross-sectional design: The study used a cross-sectional design, which may not capture the dynamic nature of nutritional knowledge and eating patterns over time.
Self-reported data: The data collected in this study were self-reported, which may be subject to biases and inaccuracies.

Future Research Directions

Future research should aim to:

Investigate the relationship between nutritional knowledge and eating patterns: Investigate the relationship between nutritional knowledge and eating patterns in a larger and more diverse sample.
Develop effective interventions: Develop effective interventions to improve nutritional knowledge and eating patterns among women who experience overweight and obesity.
Examine the impact of cultural and socioeconomic factors: Examine the impact of cultural and socioeconomic factors on nutritional knowledge and eating patterns among women who experience overweight and obesity.
Q&A: Picture of Body Image, Nutrition Knowledge, and Overweight and Obesity Women's Eating Patterns at Lady’s Center Medan in 2020

Q: What is the main objective of this study?

A: The main objective of this study is to explore the picture of body image, nutritional knowledge, and eating patterns of women who experience overweight and obesity at Lady’s Center Medan in 2020.

Q: What is the significance of this study?

A: This study is significant because it highlights the importance of nutritional knowledge and balanced eating patterns in preventing overweight and obesity among women. The results of this study can inform the development of effective interventions to improve nutritional knowledge and eating patterns among women who experience overweight and obesity.

Q: What are the key findings of this study?

A: The key findings of this study include:

A balanced ratio between respondents who had positive and negative body images, each by 50%.
The nutritional knowledge of respondents was classified as lacking, which was 69.3%.
The level of energy, protein, fat, and carbohydrate consumption was also in the lack of category, which was caused by the weight loss program they lived.

Q: What are the implications of this study?

A: The implications of this study are that women who experience overweight and obesity at Lady’s Center Medan have a lack of nutritional knowledge and inadequate consumption of essential nutrients. Therefore, it is essential to provide education and training on nutritional knowledge and balanced eating patterns to prevent overweight and obesity problems in the future.

Q: What are the recommendations of this study?

A: The recommendations of this study include:

Nutritional education: Provide education and training on nutritional knowledge and balanced eating patterns to women who experience overweight and obesity at Lady’s Center Medan.
Healthy food choices: Encourage women to make healthy food choices, such as consuming whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, and limiting their intake of processed and high-calorie foods.
Balanced eating patterns: Encourage women to maintain a balanced eating pattern, including three main meals and two to three snacks per day.
Regular physical activity: Encourage women to engage in regular physical activity, such as walking, jogging, or other sports, to help maintain a healthy weight and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: The limitations of this study include:

Small sample size: The sample size of this study was relatively small, which may limit the generalizability of the results.
Cross-sectional design: The study used a cross-sectional design, which may not capture the dynamic nature of nutritional knowledge and eating patterns over time.
Self-reported data: The data collected in this study were self-reported, which may be subject to biases and inaccuracies.

Q: What are the future research directions?

A: Future research should aim to:

Investigate the relationship between nutritional knowledge and eating patterns: Investigate the relationship between nutritional knowledge and eating patterns in a larger and more diverse sample.
Develop effective interventions: Develop effective interventions to improve nutritional knowledge and eating patterns among women who experience overweight and obesity.
Examine the impact of cultural and socioeconomic factors: Examine the impact of cultural and socioeconomic factors on nutritional knowledge and eating patterns among women who experience overweight and obesity.

Q: What are the practical implications of this study?

A: The practical implications of this study are that healthcare providers, nutritionists, and other healthcare professionals should provide education and training on nutritional knowledge and balanced eating patterns to women who experience overweight and obesity. Additionally, women who experience overweight and obesity should be encouraged to make healthy food choices and maintain a balanced eating pattern to prevent overweight and obesity problems in the future.