The Relationship between Students' Parents' Knowledge and Attitudes about Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus with Students' Behaviour of Purchasing Snacks from Street Food Vendors at Schools

Abstract

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 87% of adolescents frequently consume fast food and junk food. The recorded number of diabetes mellitus (DM) cases reaches 1.6%, with a prevalence of 10.9% among children over 15 years old. One of the causes of this disease is the frequent consumption of street food. Parents' knowledge about DM is the foundation for taking action, particularly in selecting healthy snacks for their children's well-being. The objective of this study is to determine the relationship between parents' knowledge and attitudes about Type 2 DM and students' habits of buying food from street vendors at SMAN 1 Tambang. This study employs a quantitative analytical approach with a cross-sectional research design. The research was conducted from May 27 to June 4, 2024. The study sample consists of 81 parents and students, selected using the consecutive sampling technique. The collected data were analyzed using the chi-square test, and the results indicate a significant relationship between parents' knowledge about Type 2 DM (p-value = 0.002) and parents' attitudes (p-value = 0.001) with students' habits of purchasing food from street vendors at SMAN 1 Tambang. This study suggests that schools should provide guidance to parents on the importance of preparing home-packed meals for their children. Additionally, parents should be encouraged to advise and remind their children not to buy food indiscriminately. It is also necessary to educate students about food safety.