Over-nutrition crisis threatens Indonesia<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia will face a double nutritional problem
\nin the near future, with some sections of society over-consuming
\nwhile others will remain undernourished, according to a national
\nexpert.<\/p>\n
Chairman of the Indonesian Nutritionist Association Benny A.
\nKodyat said yesterday that socioeconomic changes brought about by
\ndevelopment have led to changes in people's lifestyle and
\npatterns of food consumption.<\/p>\n
"So, while the government still has to deal with malnutrition
\nproblems, there is an increase in the number of overweight
\nchildren, both in rural and urban areas."<\/p>\n
His press briefing was held in connection with the
\ncommemoration of National Nutrition Day last Thursday (Jan. 18).<\/p>\n
Two studies by the National Socioeconomic Survey revealed that
\nthe number of overweight boys aged under five increased by 4.7
\npercent in 1989 and 6.3 percent in 1992 in urban areas, and 2.8
\npercent and 3.9 percent in rural areas in the same years.<\/p>\n
The surveys found that the percentage of overweight girls aged
\nunder five in urban areas increased by 5.9 percent in 1989 and
\n8.0 percent in 1992. The percentage of over-weight girls in rural
\nareas increased by 3.6 percent in 1989, and 4.7 percent in 1992.<\/p>\n
He did not specify the total number of children under the age
\nof five, but the recent Anti-polio Immunization Drive organizers
\nput the figure at around 23 million.<\/p>\n
Benny said the nutritional status of children under five years
\nof age is one of the indicators of changes in health status and
\nfood availability.<\/p>\n
He also said that the health authorities need to develop
\ndietary guidelines, disseminate information on nutrition, and set
\nup health services for problems of over-nutrition.<\/p>\n
During the briefing yesterday, Benny also said that the
\ngovernment has distributed iron tablets as part of the campaign
\nto tackle anemia among pregnant women. Some 60 percent of the
\ntablets were sent to rural and remote areas, he said.<\/p>\n
He said even low-income, under-nourished workers can cure
\ntheir anemia themselves by taking iron tablets for four weeks.
\n"After all, the price of each tablet is only Rp 10 (US$0.004),"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Children under-five years of age, low income workers and
\npregnant women have the highest prevalence of anemia, which is
\nconsidered to be the most widespread micronutrient disorder in
\nthe country.<\/p>\n
The 1992 survey found that as many as 63.5 percent of all
\npregnant women, and 55.5 percent of children under-five, are
\nanemic. (31)<\/p>",
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