THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MACRONUTRIENT CONSUMPTION LEVELS AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY WITH THE NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF AUTISTIC ADOLESCENTS AT THE BOARDING SCHOOL AL-ACHSANIYYAH KUDUS

Abstract

Nutritional status is a state of the body caused by the balance between nutrients from food and the needs needed to metabolize the body. Monitoring nutritional status needs to be done especially in adolescents aged 10-18 years, because during adolescence growth and development experience a significant increase. This is no exception for adolescents with autistic conditions. Determination of nutritional status is influenced by several factors, including consumption levels and physical activity. This study aims to analyze the relationship between macronutrient consumption levels and physical activity with the nutritional status of autistic adolescents at the Al-Achsaniyyah Islamic Boarding School in Kudus. The type of research used was cross sectional, with the subject of autistic students aged 10-18 years totaling 31 students. Data were collected using 2x24 hour food weighing forms, Physical Activity Level (PAL) questionnaires, and direct measurements of body weight and height. Data were then analyzed with Spearman rank correlation. The results showed that there was a relationship between energy consumption (P=0.009), protein (P=0.02) and physical activity (P=0.02) with the nutritional status of autistic adolescents. There was no relationship between the consumption of fat (P=0.698), carbohydrates (P=0.378) with the nutritional status of autistic adolescents at the Al-Achsaniyyah Islamic Boarding School in Kudus.