Pengaruh Media Piring Edukasi (PIREKA) dan WhatsApp terhadap Pengetahuan, Asupan Gizi Makro, dan Status Gizi Lansia

Abstract

Indonesia has entered the ageing population phase, accompanied by increasing nutritional problems among older adults, including overweight and obesity, which may increase the risk of non-communicable diseases. Low nutritional knowledge and unbalanced dietary patterns, particularly excessive fat intake, contribute to these conditions. This study aimed to analyze differences in nutritional knowledge, macronutrient intake, and nutritional status among older adults in Mulyorejo Village following an educational intervention using the Elderly Nutrition Education Plate (PIREKA) and education through a WhatsApp group. This study employed a pre-experimental one-group pretest–posttest design involving 24 pre-elderly and older adult respondents selected through purposive sampling. The intervention consisted of nutrition education using PIREKA through home visits followed by continuous education through a WhatsApp group for three weeks. The data collected included nutritional knowledge, macronutrient intake based on 24-hour food recalls, and nutritional status based on Body Mass Index (BMI). Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon test. The results showed significant differences in nutritional knowledge and the adequacy of energy, protein, fat, and carbohydrate intake (p<0.05). However, there were no significant differences in nutritional status based on BMI and body weight. It was concluded that PIREKA and WhatsApp were effective in improving nutritional knowledge and macronutrient intake among older adults. However, subsequent interventions should focus on reducing fat intake and be implemented continuously to support nutritional status management.