Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta Dental Students' Macronutrient Intake, Nutritional Status, and Immune System in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic

This research aims to determine the relationship between macronutrient intake, nutritional status, and the immune system during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-sectional analytical observational study involved 89 UMY class of 2018 dental students and employed total sampling. BMI measured nutritional status; FFQ was calibrated with a 24-hour meal recall questionnaire to assess macronutrient intake; and ISQ assessed the immune system. Data was analyzed using the Spearman Rank test. The findings indicated that protein (48.3%), fat (49.4%), and carbohydrates (93.3%) were the most lacking in respondents’ macronutrients. Nutrition was normal (65.2%), and immunological function was unchanged (75.3%). Protein, fat, and carbohydrate intake did not affect the immune system (p=0.281, 0.128, and 0.648), and nutrition and immunity have a significant relationship (p=0.000)