Indonesia to host Asian dietetics meet

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia will host the first Asian conference on dietetics in October to review the role of nutrition in improving the quality of life of the population, an official of the Ministry of Health said.

Dr. Muhilal, head of the ministry's nutrition research and development center, said the Oct. 2-5 conference is expected to draw 700 dietetic experts and professionals.

It will feature 50 speakers from Asian countries, including host Indonesia.

The meeting is intended to review the problems and solutions to malnutrition and degenerative diseases such as stroke, diabetes mellitus, cancer and osteoporosis, Muhilal said.

Modernization will complicate nutritional problems and challenges in many Asian countries, he said.

"The consumption of salty and greasy food will increase while that of vegetable and fruit will fall, exposing people to various degenerative diseases," Muhilal said.

An exhibition on nutrition technology featuring 13 local and foreign companies and will be simultaneously held at the Research and Application of Technology office. (rms)