National Nutrition Agency Begins Adopting Japanese Strategy to Boost Next Generation's Height

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) is beginning to adopt a strategy proven successful in Japan to promote significant improvements in the height and health quality of the younger generation.

This aligns with the government’s efforts to enhance the quality of human resources (HR) through a long-term approach based on nutrition and lifestyle changes.

BGN Head Dadan Hindayana stated in an official release in Jakarta on Wednesday that Japan serves as a real example of the success of structured nutrition interventions that directly impact height increases in the population.

“Japan has been implementing nutritious eating for nearly 100 years. We see that over about 50 years, the average height of Japanese males rose from 159 cm to around 170 cm,” he said.

“Initially interventions, then education, until finally it became a habit of healthy living. That’s what happened in Japan,” he added.

Interestingly, trends in Japan show that height increases have been followed by weight decreases in the last 20 years. This serves as an indicator of successful healthy living patterns that not only boost growth but also maintain ideal body proportions.

“Now we see, height has increased, but weight has decreased. That means healthy living habits have formed,” Dadan remarked.

Interventions are focused on two important phases, namely the First 1,000 Days of Life (HPK) to prevent stunting, as well as school age to adolescence to support optimal physical growth.

Dadan emphasised that without proper nutrition interventions, a child’s genetic potential will not develop maximally because the foetus has genetic potential from its parents.

“If not intervened with balanced nutrition menus, that potential will not emerge, and stunting can even occur,” said BGN Head Dadan Hindayana.