Over-nutrition crisis threatens Indonesia
Over-nutrition crisis threatens Indonesia
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia will face a double nutritional problem in the near future, with some sections of society over-consuming while others will remain undernourished, according to a national expert.
Chairman of the Indonesian Nutritionist Association Benny A. Kodyat said yesterday that socioeconomic changes brought about by development have led to changes in people's lifestyle and patterns of food consumption.
"So, while the government still has to deal with malnutrition problems, there is an increase in the number of overweight children, both in rural and urban areas."
His press briefing was held in connection with the commemoration of National Nutrition Day last Thursday (Jan. 18).
Two studies by the National Socioeconomic Survey revealed that the number of overweight boys aged under five increased by 4.7 percent in 1989 and 6.3 percent in 1992 in urban areas, and 2.8 percent and 3.9 percent in rural areas in the same years.
The surveys found that the percentage of overweight girls aged under five in urban areas increased by 5.9 percent in 1989 and 8.0 percent in 1992. The percentage of over-weight girls in rural areas increased by 3.6 percent in 1989, and 4.7 percent in 1992.
He did not specify the total number of children under the age of five, but the recent Anti-polio Immunization Drive organizers put the figure at around 23 million.
Benny said the nutritional status of children under five years of age is one of the indicators of changes in health status and food availability.
He also said that the health authorities need to develop dietary guidelines, disseminate information on nutrition, and set up health services for problems of over-nutrition.
During the briefing yesterday, Benny also said that the government has distributed iron tablets as part of the campaign to tackle anemia among pregnant women. Some 60 percent of the tablets were sent to rural and remote areas, he said.
He said even low-income, under-nourished workers can cure their anemia themselves by taking iron tablets for four weeks. "After all, the price of each tablet is only Rp 10 (US$0.004)," he said.
Children under-five years of age, low income workers and pregnant women have the highest prevalence of anemia, which is considered to be the most widespread micronutrient disorder in the country.
The 1992 survey found that as many as 63.5 percent of all pregnant women, and 55.5 percent of children under-five, are anemic. (31)