Indonesia is confronting a pressing public health challenge that extends beyond diet: the impact of non- communicable diseases (NCDs) driven by lifestyle factors, including high sodium intake. This issue
is particularly concerning as many NCDs, such
as hypertension and cardiovascular disease, are preventable yet contribute significantly to the country’s morbidity and mortality rates. For instance, Indonesia’s stroke burden remains substantial, with a Disability- Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) rate of 3,809 per 100,000 people in 2021,1 one of the highest in Southeast Asia, reflecting the urgent need for targeted public health interventions.
This brief explains some key findings and recommendations from a recent roadmap report on FLW reduction produced by the Ministry of National Development Planning (BAPPENAS), with key partnerships from the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN). It highlights the crucial role of coordinated efforts in achieving the desired reduction in FLW and thereby mitigating its environmental and economic impacts.
Micronutrient malnutrition remains a significant challenge in Indonesia, particularly among impoverished populations who struggle to afford and access nutrient-rich foods. Iron deficiency anemia is especially concerning, affecting 48.9% of pregnant women and 38.5% of children across the country. To address these gaps, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), conducted a comprehensive Micronutrient Gap Assessment (MGA). This assessment aimed to evaluate micronutrient intake levels among Indonesians and identify the potential benefits of rice fortification in meeting recommended dietary requirements.
As countries develop their National Pathways for food systems transformation, one emerging need is to
ensure policies land at different levels. A truly effective ‘national’ policy must span all sub-national areas.
In 2013 Indonesia’s Ministry of Health requested that GAIN support the district governments of Malang and Sidoarjo in East Java Province to reduce stunting by improving maternal and infant nutrition.
In 2018 GAIN began work in collaboration with the District Fisheries Offices of Indonesia’s Ministry of Maritime Affairs (MMAF) to develop the Indonesia Postharvest Loss Alliance for Nutrition (I-PLAN). I-PLAN aimed to improve the domestic supply of fish by reducing post-harvest losses.
Adolescents in Indonesia face multiple nutritional challenges, including undernutrition and anaemia, as well as a growing prevalence of overweight and obesity. To promote understanding of the Healthier Choice Logo among adolescents as well as to learn more about adolescent food choices, GAIN supported a programme called Pelajar Peduli Gizi (Students for Nutrition).
The COVID-19 pandemic is a multiplier of vulnerability, compounding threats to food security and nutrition (FSN) while exposing weaknesses in food systems. In response, the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) developed the Keeping Food Markets Working (KFMW) programme to provide targeted support to help sustain core food systems.
This Situation Report—the fifth in a series—finds that COVID-19-related control measures continue to have an impact on food systems in 10 countries where GAIN works: Bangladesh, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda and Tanzania.
The COVID-19 pandemic is a multiplier of vulnerability, compounding threats to food security and nutrition (FSN), while exposing weaknesses in food systems. In response, the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) developed the Keeping Food Markets Working (KFMW) programme to provide targeted support to help sustain core food systems, workers, and markets during the COVID-19 emergency.
