Hubungan Indeks Massa Tubuh dengan Kadar Hemoglobin dan Indeks Eritrosit pada Mahasiswa/I di Universitas Sumatera Utara Angkatan 2023

Abstract

Introduction. Malnutrition is a major global health problem, mostly in developed countries, and the late-teenager population is the most impacted by it. Anemia impacts the late-teenager immunity, concentration, and productivity. Aim. This study aims to elaborate on the correlation of body mass index (BMI) to hemoglobin level and erythrocyte indexes of fresh undergraduate students of Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) in 2023. Method. This was an analytic study with a cross-sectional design in the USU polyclinic during 2023. We collected secondary data from medical records. The data was analyzed by Spearman’s correlation test with significant p < 0.05. Results and Discussion. The subject of this study was 3707 people with nearly balanced percentages in gender, 49.5% men and 50.5% women. Median BMI was 22.3 kg/m2 (13.55 – 48.65). The most BMI category found was normal (category II) 1648 people (44.4%), however abnormal BMI was found in 55.5% (2059 people). This status reflected the variety of nutrition status of the fresh undergraduate students. The median hemoglobin level was 13.7 g/dL (7.4 – 18.7). The BMI was significantly positively correlated to the hemoglobin level (r = 0.193; p < 0.001) and the correlation was strongly weak. The BMI was strongly weak correlated to the erythrocyte indexes, which were MCV, MCH, and RDW (r = 0.30; r = 0.12; dan r = -0.30), however this correlation was not significant statistically (p > 0.05). Conclusions. The abnormal BMI was dominant in fresh undergraduate students of USU during the 2023 period hence nutritional intervention is needed to increase their health. The BMI was strongly weak correlated to the hemoglobin level and erythrocyte indexes.