Micronutrient deficiency in urban Indonesia / Deficiencia de micronutrientes en area urbana de Indonesia

RESUMEN

The economic situation of characterized by a large increase in the gross national product which has been on average 7 por ciento annually during the last ten years. This was accompanied by rapid urbanization. With the economic improvement, "First World" health and nutrition problems are coexisting in Indonesia. In 1992, the most common of death cause was cardiovascular disease whereas tuberculosis was the second ranking. About 40 por ciento of the preschool children are stunted. The main stable food and source is rice, although the urban population has a more diverse food pattern than the rural population. In Jakarta, many children receive too late colostrum feeding and mothers are not aware about the importance of correct breastfeeding practices after delivery. Three studies had shown that about one fidth of preschool children and one fourth of elderly take micronutriens. Nevertheless are prevalent in Jakarta. About one third of women suffer from moderate vitamin A deficiency (plasma retino <0.70 mmol/L) and 50 por ciento of pregnant women are anemic. More information is necessary on other micronutrient deficiencies. For example, a small study revealed that nearly two thirds of non-institutionalized alderly living in Jakarta experience thiamine deficiency. Appropriate interventions to reduce micronutrient deficienies should sensitiza the urban population to the fact that the government should restrict itself no use its resources to assist only the poorest individuals and groups, whereas it must be expected from the middle class to spend more to solve their own problemas