Hubungan Status Gizi dan Status Hidrasi dengan Fungsi Memori Jangka Pendek Anak Usia Sekolah

Abstract

ENGLISHShort-term memory in school-age children is significant in the learning process and academic ability improvement. Adequate intake of nutrients and body fluids are needed to accelerate brain performance so that children have optimum memory function. A preliminary study on short term memory of students in SD N Gembong 2, Pati Regency showed that some students experienced a decrease in short-term memory. The objective of this study was to analyze the correlation between nutritional status and nutritional status with children's short-term memory. This study used a correlational design and involved 52 students from 4th - 6th grade in elementary school. The measurement of hydration status used urine specific gravity, while short-term memory was measured using a digit span test. Then, the Chi-Square test was applied to analyze the data. This study result showed that more than half of children had normal nutritional status, good hydration status and normal short-term memory. Furthermore, nutritional status and hydration status were associated with children's short-term memory. Parents should provide more attention to their children’s nutritional and fluid needs, by 1) the children are getting used to taking breakfast before going to school and 2) parents provide meals and drinks from home for their children. INDONESIAMemori jangka pendek pada anak usia sekolah sangat berpengaruh terhadap proses belajar dan upaya peningkatan kemampuan akademik. Asupan nutrisi dan cairan tubuh yang cukup dibutuhkan untuk meningkatkan kerja otak sehingga fungsi memori anak lebih optimal.  Data awal penelitian terkait memori jangka pendek anak di SD N Gembong 2 Pati menunjukkan sebagian anak mengalami penurunan memori jangka pendek. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah menganalisis hubungan status gizi dan status nutrisi dengan memori jangka pendek anak. Metode penelitian korelasional dengan jumlah sampel 52 responden anak kelas 4-6 SD. Pengumpulan data status gizi melalui pengukuran berat badan dan tinggi badan. Pengukuran status hidrasi menggunakan pemeriksaan berat jenis urine dan memori jangka pendek menggunakan test digit span. Analisa menggunakan chi square. Hasil penelitian  menunjukkan sebagian besar anak mempunyai status gizi normal, status hidrasi baik dan memori jangka pendek yang normal. Terdapat hubungan antara status gizi dan status hidrasi dengan memori jangka pendek anak. Orang tua sebaiknya lebih memperhatikan kebutuhan nutrisi dan cairan anak  dengan cara: 1) membiasakan sarapan sebelum berangkat sekolah; dan 2) pada saat anak ke sekolah lebih baik dibawakan bekal makanan dan minuman.