Hunger and malnutrition remain the most devastating problems facing the majority of the Indonesian, especially for the poor. Despite general improvements in food availability, health and
social services, hunger and malnutrition exist in some form in almost every district in Indonesia.
At present, about half the population is iron-deficient and one-third is at risk of iodine deficiency disorders. Vitamin A deficiency disorders still affect around 10 million children.
The prevalence of LBW infants in Indonesia is in a range of 7-14%, even reach 16% in some districts. The high prevalence of LBW is commonly a result of maternal malnutrition. It is at a
range of 12 to 22% women aged 15-49 suffering from chronic energy deficiency (BMI <18.5), and 40% of pregnant women was anemic. In 2003, 27.5 percent of children under five in Indonesia suffered from moderate and severe underweight, or only 10 percentage points lower than in 1989, and nearly half are stunted. Malnourished children who suffer from low birth-weight and stunting in turn grow into malnourished adolescents and adults, thus perpetuating the malnutrition cycle.
In contrast, unbalanced food intakes that cause excessive consumption in association with changes in lifestyle that will effect to a range of non-communicable diseases also should be considered as emerging significant public health problem for Indonesia. The evidence of increasing mortality because of non-communicable diseases from 1986 to 2001 was obvious. Modifications in diet and life-styles including increasing physical activities and reducing cigarette smoking can be expected to reduce the incidence of these diseases.