In Addition To Serious Diseases, Nutrition Problems Become The Main Challenge In Indonesia

Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin together with the Head of BPOM RI Taruna Ikrar after the launch of the Food Village Program Synergy Safe and the Local Food Supply Program in Yogyakarta, Monday (14/10/2024). (ANTARA/Hery Sidik.)

JAKARTA - The problem of nutrition is still a crucial issue in Indonesia because it can affect the quality of life of people from toddlers to adults.

In the midst of efforts to improve health, two major issues related to nutrition arose simultaneously: malnutrition and malnutrition.

The Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, emphasized that the issue of nutrition is one of the great challenges in Indonesia, in addition to other serious diseases such as stroke, heart disease, and cancer.

"The big problem in Indonesia is not only stroke, heart, or cancer, but also related to nutrition," Budi said at the launch of the Synergy program for Food Village Safe and Providing Additional Local Food-based Food in Bantul Regency, Yogyakarta, as quoted by Antara.

He explained that the problem of nutrition can include two aspects, namely excesses and deficiencies. In general, adults tend to be overweight, which can be seen from the problem of obesity or the distended stomach. On the other hand, malnutrition is often found in toddlers and mothers, especially among the vulnerable.

"The problem of nutrition is not only a matter of quantity, but also quality and variety. Therefore, food must be arranged in such a way so that the amount and type of nutrition is right," he said.

Budi added that the nutritional needs of children, toddlers, and pregnant women are certainly different from the needs of adults. Each age group needs a different composition and number of nutrients, so it is important to adjust the intake according to their individual needs.

"For this reason, food production facilities are needed that understand how to serve food with the right nutritional content, according to the needs of certain age groups," he explained.

He also expressed his appreciation to the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) for its initiative in launching this program, as well as the role of BPOM in fostering Panggungharjo Village as a Safe Food Village as well as building food production houses.

Through BPOM guidance, mothers can learn how to prepare food with hygienic procedures, while ensuring the amount and variation of the nutrients are appropriate. That way, it is hoped that toddlers and pregnant women can avoid the risk of malnutrition," said Budi.

Budi also hopes that awareness of a balanced diet can be applied by adults, especially men, to prevent diseases due to malnutrition.

"It's simple, if the intake is excessive in parents, usually children will be in need. So, mothers can reduce the portion of eating their husbands and add to their children," he said.