Digital Education to Improve Knowledge of Sugar, Salt, and Fat Consumption Among Indonesian Adolescents: A Quasi‐Experimental Study

Background: Excessive consumption of sugar, salt, and fat (SSF) since adolescence might increase the risk of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in adulthood. Research on interventions in lowering consumption of SSF in adolescents was still limited. Objective: This study aimed to develop and assess the effectiveness of digital education for urban adolescents in Indonesia on reducing intake of SSF. Methods: This study used a quasi‐experimental design which was conducted in two cities, namely Central Jakarta, Jakarta Province and Manado City, North Sulawesi. The study population was high school students (16–18 years old). The schools were selected based on convenience sampling, purposively representing public and private schools, while respondents were selected by proportionate stratified random sampling. A total of 318 students became samples of this study, consisting of 160 for intervention and 158 for control. Data analysis was performed using univariable analysis and compare‐mean analysis using Chi Square test, Mann–Whitney test, and Wilcoxon test. Results: Adolescents’ knowledge of SSF was low, and digital education (application) was considered satisfactory. There was a significant difference in knowledge before (mean score 46.18) and after intervention using the application (score mean 49.57) with p ‐value 0.020. The knowledge differed between the intervention group (score mean 49.57) and the control group (score mean 43.94) with p ‐value 0.007. Conclusion: Interventions using digital applications effectively increased adolescent knowledge on SSF consumption.