The Faculty of Public Health (FPH) at the Universitas Indonesia (UI) has hosted the 13th series of the Nutrition for the Nation (GUB) webinar, focusing on the current issue of nutrition under the theme “Towards a Wise Indonesia in GGL Consumption, How Much Multisectoral Contribution is Needed?”. This theme aims to raise awareness about nutrition, particularly concerning the consumption of sugar, salt, and fat (GGL) in Indonesia. The GUB event included a webinar and the dissemination of research findings by undergraduate and master’s students in the Nutrition and Public Health programs at FPH UI in 2024. The 13th series of GUB was held on Saturday, September 14, 2024, via Zoom Meetings, with around 200 participants from various institutions, including nutrition and health academics, practitioners, non-governmental organizations, and the general public.
Dr. Ir. Trini Sudiarti, M.Si., a Nutrition lecturer at UI, opened the discussion by presenting the latest data on GGL consumption in Indonesia. According to surveys, 67.4% of adolescents aged 12-17 regularly consume sweet beverages more than once a day. Additionally, 53.7% of the Indonesian population consumes more than 5 grams of salt per day, and about 18.7% consume salt in amounts exceeding 10-30 grams per day. Meanwhile, fat intake is also quite high, with an average of 53.3 grams per capita per day, and 27% of the population consumes more than 67 grams per day. In her presentation, Dr. Trini emphasized, “Excessive sugar consumption can lead to insulin resistance, meaning the body cannot perform its sugar metabolism function. This poses a risk of hyperglycemia, obesity, and diabetes mellitus. Meanwhile, excessive salt intake can raise blood pressure, leading to heart attacks.” Dr. Trini also highlighted the importance of public literacy in reading food and beverage labels. “Education and intervention are essential. The public needs to be more aware of the limits on GGL consumption and understand the food labels on each package,” said Dr. Trini.
Next, Mahmud Fauzi, S.K.M., M.Kes., from the Directorate of Nutrition and Maternal and Child Health at the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) of the Republic of Indonesia, outlined the government’s efforts to control excessive GGL consumption through policy. According to Law No. 17 of 2023 on Health, the government is working to improve the quality of public nutrition through better dietary habits with balanced and safe nutrition. “Our main strategies include providing access to nutritious and balanced food, promoting healthy eating behaviors, and enriching nutrients through fortification and supplementation,” explained Mahmud Fauzi. He also stated that multisectoral collaboration and nutrition surveillance are key pillars in ensuring the success of government nutrition interventions. Fauzi further added, “Through these efforts, we aim to reduce the prevalence of non-communicable diseases related to excessive GGL consumption, such as diabetes and hypertension.”
Furthermore, Dra. Dwiana Andayani, Apt., Director of Processed Food Standards at the National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM), discussed regulations concerning GGL consumption in Indonesia. In 2024, BPOM is revising Regulation No. 26 of 2021 on Nutritional Information on Processed Food Labels to strengthen the control of GGL consumption in society. “We are working on revising the front-of-package nutrition label (FOPNL), updating serving sizes, and establishing easier-to-understand guidelines for nutritional labeling,” explained Dwiana. According to her, this policy aims to help the public quickly understand the nutritional content of products, allowing for healthier choices. She further said, “Measures such as limiting the marketing of high-GGL foods, imposing taxes on certain foods and beverages, and reformulating food products will be crucial strategies to reduce health risks from excessive GGL consumption.”
In addition, a symposium was held consisting of two sessions. The first session addressed various aspects of GGL consumption patterns, overweight status, adolescent nutrition, diet behavior, eating disorders, and nutrition literacy and interventions. This discussion focused on how GGL consumption affects adolescent nutritional status and encourages unhealthy diet behaviors, as well as the importance of nutrition education to prevent these issues. The second session focused on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) A and B, anemia and iron deficiency, as well as undernutrition in children under five. This session emphasized the importance of nutrition interventions in preventing and managing NCDs and addressing malnutrition and anemia in children, which are major health issues in Indonesia.
The 13th series of the Nutrition for the Nation (GUB) webinar and symposium successfully provided insights into trends in GGL consumption and its impact on public health in Indonesia. Through various materials presented by experts from academia and government, participants were encouraged to better understand the importance of healthy eating patterns and proper nutrition interventions. With cross-sector collaboration and updated regulations, it is hoped that GGL consumption in the community can be controlled, reducing the risk of non-communicable diseases. This seminar marked an important step toward a healthier and more nutrition-conscious Indonesian society. (DFD)