Current Nutrition & Food Science - Volume 21, Issue 9, 2025

To produce the experimental diet of 35% crude protein, yeast at varying quantities were added to the basal feed ingredient in the following amounts: 0, 5, 10 and 15 g/kg, which corresponded to the groups G1 (control), G2, G3, and G4, respectively. Twelve (12) concrete ponds, each with a capacity of 1,500 litres, were the culture structures for the experiment. Two hundred and forty mixed-sex Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings were stocked, and each pond was randomly allocated twenty fingerlings. Each parameter assessed was replicated 3 times.

The result on growth parameters showed that the highest final mean weight (86.33 ± 3.51 g), average daily growth (1.14 ± 0.05 g), percentage mean weight gain (278.05 ± 4.59%), and Specific Growth rate (7.41 ± 0.08 g) were obtained in G3 fed with 10g/kg of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. While the lowest final weight (38.00 ± 4.58 g), average daily growth (0.28 ± 0.07 g), percentage mean weight gain (68.23 ± 16.66%), Specific Growth rate (4.84 ± 0.50 g) was obtained in G1, fish fed with control diet. The study's results on blood parameters indicate that the O. niloticus fed 5 g/kg of yeast in G2 had the highest mean values of Red Blood Cells at 4.49 ± 0.23 × 10⁶ µ/l, Haemoglobin at 3.73 ± 0.20 g/dl, and Mean Cell Haemoglobin Content at 46.03 ± 0.07. While the fish fed 15 g/kg of yeast in G4 had the lowest mean values of 3.48 ± 0.35 × 10⁶ µ/l, 3.73 ± 0.31 g/dl, and 31.80 ± 0.05, respectively. The greatest mean values of White Blood Cells at 10.53 ± 0.35 × 10³ µ/l, Parked Cell Volume at 15.50 ± 0.50%, and Mean (red) Cell Volume at 38.08 ± 0.06 were observed in fish fed with the control diet. Fish given 5 g/kg (G2) had the greatest levels of total protein, glucose, globulin, and cholesterol, with mean values of 62.00 ± 0.93 g/dl, 14.30 ± 0.20 g/dl, 48.00 ± 1.00 and 3.34 ± 0.05 g/dl respectively.

The study suggests that increasing yeast concentration in O. niloticus diets increases mucosa surface area and promotes nutrient absorption, with minimal adverse effects on intestinal histology, biochemical parameters, and haematology indices of Oreochromis niloticus.

Moringa oleifera and honey are nutrient-rich local foods with the potential to combat malnutrition. Combining them may enhance their synergistic effects, offering a holistic nutritional solution.

This study assessed the impact of Moringa oleifera plus royal jelly (MRJ) capsules on the weight, height, and nutritional status of toddlers in high-stunting coastal areas of Tojo Una-Una District.

A quasi-experimental design was used, with an intervention group receiving 500 mg of MRJ capsules daily for three months, and a control group with similar baseline characteristics. The study involved six high-stunting villages, with nutrition workers monitoring compliance. Height and weight were measured using standardized tools, while dietary intake was assessed via 24-hour recall. Data were analyzed using WHO Anthro 2006, NutriSurvey 2007, and JASP.

Baseline characteristics and food intake were similar between groups. Post-intervention, significant differences were observed in weight (9.00 ± 1.29 kg vs. 8.45 ± 0.93 kg, p=0.042) and height (76.57 ± 3.43 cm vs. 74.23 ± 5.30 cm, p=0.041). The intervention group also showed greater improvements in weight gain (0.99 ± 1.3 kg vs. 0.26 ± 0.7 kg, p < 0.005) and height increase (5.01 ± 2.8 cm vs. 2.83 ± 4.2 cm, p = 0.019). Additionally, HAZ scores improved significantly in the intervention group (-1.96 ± 1.24 to -1.55 ± 0.96, p = 0.027).

The findings align with previous research highlighting Moringa’s role in combating malnutrition. However, limitations include the non-RCT design, lack of a placebo group, and small sample size.

MRJ supplementation significantly improved weight, height, and HAZ in toddlers, suggesting its potential as a nutritional intervention in areas prone to stunting. Further randomized trials are recommended to validate these results.

Reducing global stunting rates is a critical focus of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly under the objectives of zero hunger, good health and well-being. Indonesia has set a target to reduce the prevalence of stunting to 14%. However, as of 2023, the national prevalence remains at 21.5%, with East Java, a densely populated region, reporting a rate of 19.2%. This study aimed to identify risk factors for nutritional problems among infants and toddlers in East Java to guide region-specific interventions and serve as a global model for addressing stunting and nutritional issues.

Data was collected from provincial health registries and analysed for trends and associations using STATA18 and spatial distribution using QGIS3.34. Factors examined included community participation, ferrous supplementation during pregnancy, newborn birth weight, exclusive breastfeeding rates, vitamin A supplementation, and child nutritional status monitoring.

While the prevalence of underweight, stunted, and wasted children showed a decreasing trend, critical factors such as ferrous supplementation in pregnant women, exclusive breastfeeding rates, and vitamin A supplementation also exhibited declines. Early and exclusive breastfeeding and vitamin A supplementation were significantly associated with underweight status.

Improvements in child nutritional status coexist with persistent challenges, including suboptimal breastfeeding practices, declining vitamin A supplementation, and pandemic-related healthcare disruptions, necessitating reinforced health systems and targeted interventions to attain national and SDGs targets.

Strengthening nutritional and health services in high-burden areas could improve outcomes in East Java and offer a replicable framework for addressing stunting and malnutrition globally.

Childhood obesity results from an imbalance between energy intake and expenditure, often exacerbated by high consumption of energy-dense foods and sugary beverages. This study aimed to examine the relationship between sweet taste preference, sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption, and obesity among elementary school children in Indonesia, particularly within the structured environment of a full-day school.

A cross-sectional study design was used among 129 students from Muhammadiyah 4 Surabaya Elementary School as participants. Data were collected through anthropometric measurements, 24-hour food records, SQ-FFQ questionnaires, PAQ-C activity questionnaires, and Rank-Rating taste tests. Chi-square tests were used for statistical analysis.

Sweet taste preference (p = 0.366), taste sensitivity (p = 0.773), total energy intake (p = 0.266), and school-time energy intake (p = 0.397) were not significantly associated with obesity. However, SSB energy intake (p = 0.046) and total sugar intake (p = 0.001) were positively correlated with the incidence of obesity.

The findings indicate that while sweet taste preference alone may not predict obesity, excessive sugar consumption—particularly from SSBs—plays a major role. This suggests that the type and source of energy, rather than quantity alone, are more impactful.

SSB and sugar intake are significantly associated with childhood obesity. Interventions focusing on reducing sugary drink consumption, improving dietary habits, and increasing physical activity are essential. A multilevel approach involving schools, families, and policy is needed to address the growing prevalence of childhood obesity in Indonesia.