Daily Consumption of Fruits and Vegetables Has Different Correlations With Haemoglobin Levels in Young Women at Karanganyar Regency

Indonesia still encounters a nutritional problem since the morbidity rate of anemia in young women has increased in the last few years. Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia in susceptible age groups especially in young women. Based on the results of Basic Health Research in Indonesia, low daily intake of fruits and vegetables commonly occurs in Indonesian people. This study therefore aimed to investigate the correlation of fruit and vegetable consumptions with hemoglobin (Hb) levels in young women. A cross sectional study was performed to 117 young women who studied at senior and vocational high schools in Karanganyar Regency. They were selected by using a stratified random sampling. Data of fruit and vegetable consumptions were collected through a Semi Quantitative-Food Frequency Questionnaire (SQ-FFQ) while Hb levels were measured by using a hematology analyzer. Data of other factors that influenced Hb levels were obtained by using questionnaires and anthropometric measurement. Spearman and multiple linear regression tests were used to analyze correlation of fruit and vegetable consumptions and confounding factors with Hb levels. The p-value of <0.05 was considered as a statistical significance. Anemia was found in 17.1% young women. Most young women had inadequate fruit consumption whereas 52.1% had adequate vegetable consumption. Fruit consumption (b = 0.002; p = 0.740) did not correlate with Hb levels while a positive correlation with Hb level was observed in vegetable consumption (b = 0.006; p <0.001). In conclusion, daily consumption of fruits and vegetables has different correlations with Hb levels in young women. Keywords— Fruit and vegetable consumption, Hemoglobin level, Anemia, Young women