Cirebon, 23 October 2026 - The National Board of Zakat of the Republic of Indonesia (BAZNAS), through Rumah Sehat BAZNAS (RSB) Cirebon, organized a health education session on balanced nutrition for 309 female students (santri) at KHAS Kempek Islamic Boarding School, Alnashir Almanshur Dormitory, Kempek Village, Gempol District, Cirebon Regency, West Java, on Friday.
The session, which took place from 10:10 a.m. to 11:10 a.m. Western Indonesia Time (WIB), aimed to increase students' awareness of the importance of meeting their daily nutritional needs and encourage healthier eating habits within the Islamic boarding school environment. The activity formed part of BAZNAS Rumah Sehat Cirebon's health promotion and disease prevention initiatives, particularly those aimed at improving health literacy among adolescents. Through nutrition education, BAZNAS seeks to equip students with the knowledge needed to make healthier dietary choices and maintain their overall well-being.
Balanced nutrition plays an essential role in supporting adolescent growth, physical development, and daily activities. During adolescence, adequate nutrient intake is particularly important as the body undergoes significant physical and physiological changes. Establishing healthy eating habits at this stage can also contribute to better health outcomes later in life.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a healthy diet is founded on four key principles: adequacy, balance, moderation, and diversity. These principles emphasize the importance of consuming a variety of nutritious foods in appropriate amounts while limiting excessive intake of sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats. WHO also highlights that dietary habits developed during childhood and adolescence often continue into adulthood.
In Indonesia, the Ministry of Health promotes balanced nutrition through its "Isi Piringku" (My Plate) guidelines, which encourage individuals to fill half of their plates with vegetables and fruits and the remaining half with staple foods and protein sources. The guidelines also emphasize adequate water intake, regular physical activity, and proper hygiene practices as essential components of a healthy lifestyle.
Nutrition education is particularly relevant for female adolescents, who may face additional nutritional challenges, including iron deficiency and anemia. UNICEF Indonesia reports that approximately one in four adolescent girls in the country experiences anemia, highlighting the importance of improving nutritional awareness and access to appropriate dietary information.
The Indonesian Ministry of Health also emphasizes that preventing anemia among adolescent girls requires a combination of balanced diets, sufficient iron intake, and preventive health interventions. Foods rich in iron, such as meat, legumes, and green leafy vegetables, can help meet nutritional needs, while vitamin C supports iron absorption. These recommendations underscore the importance of strengthening nutrition education among young women.
Islamic boarding schools provide an important setting for promoting healthy behaviors among adolescents. As students spend much of their daily lives within these institutions, nutrition education can help them understand the relationship between food choices, physical health, and their ability to participate in academic and religious activities.
By reaching 309 female santri, the counseling session provided an opportunity to introduce essential nutrition concepts to a substantial group of young students. The initiative is expected to encourage greater awareness of balanced diets and promote healthy eating practices as part of students' daily routines.
The activity also aligns with BAZNAS' broader efforts to expand access to community-based health education and preventive services. Earlier in October 2026, Rumah Sehat BAZNAS Cirebon conducted free health counseling and screenings for hypertension and diabetes among residents of Kempek Village, reflecting its continued engagement in improving community health awareness.
Through its Rumah Sehat services, BAZNAS continues to support public health initiatives that address community needs and encourage preventive healthcare practices. Educational activities targeting young people represent an important part of these efforts, as early awareness can contribute to healthier habits and improved quality of life.
The balanced nutrition counseling session at KHAS Kempek Islamic Boarding School reflects BAZNAS' commitment to promoting healthier communities through accessible health education. By strengthening nutritional awareness among female santri, BAZNAS hopes to encourage healthier lifestyles and contribute to the long-term well-being of Indonesia's younger generation.
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