UMI Lecturer Team Holds Community Service at SD Negeri 9 Kalukue, Pangkep: Education and Anthropometric Measurements for Monitoring Children's Nutritional Status

PANGKEP, 5 November 2024 – In an effort to increase awareness of the importance of the health and welfare of school-age children, a team of lecturers from the Indonesian Muslim University (UMI) carried out community service activities at SD Negeri 9 Kalukue, Pangkep Regency. The activity with the theme "Anthropometric Measurements of Children Using an Ergonomic Approach and Designing an Anthropometric Database to Monitor Students' Nutritional Status" was participated enthusiastically by students and teachers.

The event was opened by the Principal of SD Negeri 9 Kalukue, Hj. Patimah, S.Pd., who expressed his appreciation for the initiative of the UMI lecturer team in making a real contribution to the health of elementary school children in their area. According to him, this program is very useful for increasing the insight of teachers and students about the importance of maintaining health through good nutrition.

This community service team is led by Dr. Eng. Ir. Irma Nur Afiah, ST, MT from the Faculty of Industrial Technology (FTI) UMI, with team members namely Dr. Fatmah Afrianty Gobel, SKM., M.Epid from the Faculty of Public Health (FKM), Ramdan Satra, S.Kom., M.Kom. from the Faculty of Computer Science (FIK), and Ir. Asrul Fole, ST., MT. from FTI. They collaborate to provide important education regarding nutritional monitoring and anthropometric measurements to support optimal growth of elementary school children.

This community service team is led by Dr. Eng. Ir. Irma Nur Afiah, ST, MT from the Faculty of Industrial Technology (FTI) UMI, with team members namely Dr. Fatmah Afrianty Gobel, SKM., M.Epid from the Faculty of Public Health (FKM), Ramdan Satra, S.Kom., M.Kom. from the Faculty of Computer Science (FIK), and Ir. Asrul Fole, ST., MT. from FTI. They collaborate to provide important education regarding nutritional monitoring and anthropometric measurements to support optimal growth of elementary school children.

In his presentation, Dr. Eng. Irma Nur Afiah presented the material "Anthropometric Measurements: Vital Role in Monitoring Children's Nutrition". Dr. Irma explained the importance of anthropometric measurements which include height, weight and arm circumference as indicators of children's nutritional status. Accurate anthropometric data can help schools and parents detect nutritional problems early so that appropriate intervention can be carried out immediately.

Dr. Fatmah Afrianty Gobel continued with material entitled "Nutritional Status, Nutritional Needs and Growth of School Children". In his presentation, Dr. Fatmah emphasized the importance of balanced nutritional needs to support children's physical growth and cognitive development. He explained the risk of malnutrition at school age, which can cause stunting and various other health problems, so a healthy diet is the main key to prevention.

In this activity, the lecturer team also measured the nutritional status of students represented by 15 students at SD Negeri 9 Kalukue. Measurements include the student's weight and height, which are then analyzed to determine the nutritional status of each child. Ramdan Satra, S.Kom., M.Kom. tasked with analyzing measurement data and conveying findings to teachers and students. Based on the results of this analysis, Ramdan provided the school with an understanding of the nutritional condition of students as well as suggestions for maintaining and improving the nutritional status of children who need more attention.

The results of these measurements are also stored in an anthropometric database designed by the UMI team, which aims to assist the school in monitoring students' nutritional status on an ongoing basis. With this database, it is hoped that schools can carry out regular monitoring so that children can grow up healthy and free from the risk of nutritional problems.

This activity is not only an educational event, but also provides direct experience for teachers and students in carrying out anthropometric measurements and interpreting nutritional data. This is very important to ensure that each child gets proper attention to his nutritional needs.

Indonesian Muslim University, through this community service program, is committed to supporting improving the health and quality of life of the community, especially elementary school children. It is hoped that with this program, awareness of the importance of providing good nutrition can increase so that Indonesia's young generation can grow up healthy, intelligent and ready to compete in the future.