Indonesia’s triple burden of malnutrition: a call for urgent policy change
The Asia and Pacific region is home to more than half the world’s undernourished children, but also has the fastest growing prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity. With micronutrient deficiencies added to undernutrition and overweight/obesity, the result is known as the ‘triple burden of malnutrition’. This phenomenon is particularly stark in Indonesia, where there are both high rates of both childhood chronic undernutrition and overweight. Yet there is very little data available on people’s diets in Indonesia and few methods adapted to measure the triple burden. This research report is the product of an innovative food diaries survey conducted in Jember, East Java, which aimed to provide information for local and international advocacy on healthy sustainable diets. The report reviews the research methodology, outlines the key findings, and provides recommendations for policy and methodological improvements.
