Asupan Omega-3, Stres Psikologis, dan Kadar C-Reactive Protein pada Remaja: Pendekatan Biopsikososial dalam Konteks Keperawatan Sekolah

Omega-3 fatty acids, primarily consisting of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), play crucial roles in maintaining brain and nervous system function, cardiovascular health, as well as regulating immune responses and inflammatory processes. Psychological stress during adolescence can trigger systemic inflammatory responses. However, low consumption of omega-3-rich food sources remains a prevalent nutritional concern among adolescents. This study aimed to analyze the association between omega-3 intake, psychological stress, and C-Reactive Protein (CRP) levels among adolescents. This study employed an analytical observational design with a cross-sectional approach. The sample consisted of 30 eleventh-grade high school students in Palembang City, selected using G*Power calculation (). Data were collected using the DASS-21 questionnaire, SQFFQ, and laboratory blood tests for CRP. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS: Chi-Square test for stress and omega-3 intake, Pearson correlation for omega-3 intake and CRP levels, and Independent t-test for CRP differences between stress groups. In this study, 80% of adolescent respondents had inadequate omega-3 intake. No significant association was found between psychological stress and omega-3 intake (). In contrast, a statistically significant association was observed between omega-3 intake and CRP levels (). No statistically significant difference in mean CRP levels was found between stress groups (). Omega-3 intake is significantly associated with systemic inflammation (CRP levels) in high school adolescents, whereas psychological stress does not show a statistically significant association with CRP levels. Ensuring adequate omega-3 intake is essential for maintaining inflammatory balance during the critical developmental stage of adolescence.