Lack of Iron Can Inhibit Children's Potential, Parents' Awareness Needs to Be Increased

Illustration of parental education to reduce cases of iron deficiency. (doc. Danone Indonesia)

Anemia due to iron deficiency is still one of the public health challenges that impacts physical health, brain development, learning ability, and the quality of human resources in the future.

This condition clearly needs special attention, especially in the First 1,000 Days of Life (HPK), from pregnancy to children aged two years.

Based on the Indonesian Health Survey (SKI) 2023, anemia is experienced by 27.7% of pregnant women and 23.8% of toddlers. If not treated, this condition can affect the child's growth and development in the long term.

Nutrition expert dr. dr. Dian Novita Chandra, M.Gizi., explained that most cases of anemia in Indonesia are caused by a lack of iron intake in the daily diet. Therefore, he emphasized the importance of a balanced nutritious diet, consumption of animal protein, vitamin C to help iron absorption, as well as regular screening from the pregnancy period.

"To meet the optimal iron needs, children need to get a balanced nutritional intake rich in animal protein as a source of iron. Iron absorption can also be increased with vitamin C. Parents can also consider fortified nutrient sources, such as growth milk containing iron and vitamin C, and screening for iron deficiency risk factors routinely as a preventive and early detection step, even during pregnancy," said dr. Dian.

As part of the 2026 National Children's Day commemoration, Danone Indonesia also participated in a cross-sector visit to RPTRA CERIA, West Jakarta, which featured a community-based collaboration model in integrating nutritional education and early screening of iron deficiency anemia risk.

The activity involved the government, health workers, community organizations, media, and Danone Indonesia leadership.

The Minister of Empowerment of Women and Child Protection (PPPA), Dra. Hj. Arifatul Choiri Fauzi, M.Si., appreciates this collaboration as part of a joint effort to realize Golden Indonesia 2045.

"Multi-party collaboration like this is very important considering that two-thirds of Indonesia's population are mothers and children. However, there are still many pregnant women and children who suffer from anemia due to lack of understanding of balanced nutrition. Education about nutritious food needs to continue to be strengthened, and we hope that initiatives like those carried out by Danone Indonesia can be replicated in various regions as a joint commitment towards Golden Indonesia 2045," he said.

In line with the health pillar in the Danone Impact Journey, since 2025 Danone Indonesia has supported more than 1.25 million screenings through the eNutri digital application. By 2030, the company targets to support an additional 14 million screenings to help identify anemia risks early.

Danone Indonesia's Healthcare Nutrition Director, Vera Saw, said that the prevention of iron deficiency anemia is one of the company's focuses in supporting the health of the Indonesian younger generation.

"We understand that iron deficiency is a real problem that can hinder the potential of the Indonesian young generation. Therefore, we continue to collaborate with various stakeholders in the field of nutrition and early life health through awareness-raising, early risk screening expansion, and the development of science-based nutrition products," he said.

Various initiatives have been carried out by Danone Indonesia, ranging from nutrition education programs through Bicara Gizi, increasing awareness and screening with health workers and community partners, to science-based nutrition innovations such as SGM Eksplor with IronC™, a combination of iron and vitamin C designed to support optimal iron absorption.

In 2026, the company also continued its collaboration with the Indonesian Midwives Association (IBI) through various community-based activities, including nutrition education and early screening of anemia risk for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and children in the CERIA RPTRA, West Jakarta.

Closing his statement, Vera Saw emphasized that anemia prevention requires long-term commitment from all parties.

"Efforts to help prevent iron deficiency anemia require continuous awareness-raising, applicable education, and early identification of risk factors. Through collaboration with health workers and community partners, we hope that more children will receive the nutritional intake needed to grow and develop optimally, as well as support the realization of a healthy generation towards Golden Indonesia 2045," he concluded.