Edukasi Bahaya Konsumsi Gula Sintesis Pada Makanan dan Minuman Manis Cepat Saji dan Pemeriksaan Glukosa Darah Terhadap Siswa SMK Negeri 9 Kota Tangerang

Synthetic sugar or artificial sweeteners, which are often used in instant food and beverage products, can pose serious health risks to humans. Excessive consumption of these compounds can increase the risk of obesity, diabetes mellitus, and other health problems. Students in school environments, such as at SMKN 9 Kota Tangerang, are vulnerable to consuming snacks with unmeasured amounts of synthetic sugar. This Community Service (PkM) program aims to educate students about the dangers of synthetic sugar and conduct health screenings through blood sugar tests. The activity was carried out through counseling, interactive discussions, and health checks. The participants were all 41 students in grades 10 and 11 at SMKN 9 Tangerang City, selected using total sampling technique. Random Blood Sugar (RBS) tests were conducted using the Point of Care Testing (POCT) method after the material presentation and educational games were completed. Student knowledge levels were measured using pre-test and post-test instruments. The evaluation showed an increase in understanding of daily calories from 82.93% to 92.68%. Knowledge about healthy food choices and sugar content processing increased from 95.12% to 97.56%. A significant increase was also seen in specific understanding of types of artificial sweeteners, from 24.39% to 36.59%. These educational activities and examinations were effective in raising students' awareness of the risks of synthetic sugar and the importance of early detection of blood sugar in order to foster a generation that is more concerned about health.