The Relationship Between Nutritional Status and Nutritional Intake Towards Intelligence Level (IQ)

  • Kamilah Ramadhani Arif Faculty of Medicine Muslim University of Indonesia, Makassar, Indonesia
  • Syamsu Rijal Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Muslim Indonesia, RSP Ibnu Sina YW-UMI, Indonesia
  • Marzelina Karim Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Muslim Indonesia, RSP Ibnu Sina YW-UMI, Indonesia
  • Asrini Safitri Department of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Muslim Indonesia, RSP Ibnu Sina YW-UMI, Indonesia
  • Sidrah Darma Department of Pediatric, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Muslim Indonesia, RSP Ibnu Sina YW-UMI, Indonesia
Keywords: Nutritional Status, Intelligence Quotient, WISC

Abstract

Nutritional status plays an important role in children's growth and development, including cognitive development and intelligence. School-aged children are a vulnerable group to nutritional problems that may affect learning ability.  An observational analytic study with a cross-sectional design was conducted among 36 students aged 11–12 years. Nutritional status was assessed using Body Mass Index-for-Age (BMI-for-age) based on CDC standards, nutrient intake was measured using a Semi-Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (SQ-FFQ), and intelligence was measured using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC). Data analysis was performed using univariate, bivariate (One Way ANOVA), and multivariate (linear regression) analyses.  Most respondents had normal nutritional status and average IQ scores. There was no significant relationship between nutritional status and IQ (p = 0.095). Multivariate analysis also showed no significant effect of nutritional status and nutrient intake on IQ (p = 0.797; R² = 0.072).  Nutritional status and nutrient intake were not significantly associated with intelligence levels among school-aged children in this study.

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Published
2026-05-05
How to Cite
Arif, K. R., Rijal, S., Karim, M., Safitri, A., & Darma, S. (2026). The Relationship Between Nutritional Status and Nutritional Intake Towards Intelligence Level (IQ). Journal La Medihealtico, 7(2), 456-465. https://doi.org/10.37899/journallamedihealtico.v7i2.3228