Nutritional problems are common, especially in Indonesia. Nutritional problems arise because there is an imbalance or disturbance between the intake received and the body's needs. This imbalance can mean excess or malnutrition.
Currently, nutritional problems in Indonesia are increasingly common and must be taken seriously. Several factors cause nutritional problems in Indonesia, including:
- Consumption of food that does not meet the number and composition of nutrients that meet the requirements for balanced nutrition.
- Infectious diseases associated with a high incidence of communicable diseases, especially diarrhea, intestinal worms and acute respiratory disease (ARI). This is due to an unhealthy environment and quality of life.
- Availability of food in the family, parenting style, as well as access to information on nutrition and health.
- Poverty level so unable to meet nutritional needs.
Children to teenagers still need balanced nutrition to maximize their growth. Because there are physiological changes during adolescence that affect nutritional needs. It is unfortunate if the nation's young generation is already experiencing nutritional problems. Even though they are the ones who are expected to become future leaders of the nation who are healthy and also productive.
Several health problems that often occur in Indonesia due to unbalanced nutrition, include:
- Anemia: According to data, around 12 percent of male youth and 23 percent of female adolescents experience anemia due to iron deficiency. To prevent anemia, you must consume foods that are high in iron, folic acid, vitamin A, vitamin C and zinc.
- Stunting: short or below average height. Based on WHO standards, men will be 12.5 cm shorter and women as much as 9.8 cm. Stunting can also cause a decrease in cognitive function, immune function, and metabolic system disorders.
- Chronic Energy Deficiency: Adolescents who are chronically deficient or thin are caused by a lack of nutrition. Conditions like this are at risk of various infectious diseases and hormonal disorders that are bad for health.
- Obesity: Obesity or overweight is caused by a lack of consumption of vegetables and fruit as well as a lack of exercise and an unhealthy lifestyle. Obesity can be prevented by adjusting the pattern and portion of eating and drinking, avoiding stress and also getting enough sleep.
*summarized from various sources*