The Importance of Optimal Nutritional Intake for The Health of Pregnant Women in Indonesia: Key Challenges and Strategic Solutions

Authors

  • Suparji Suparji Health of Polytechnic Ministry Health of Surabaya, Surabaya, Indonesia
  • Heru Santoso Wahito Nugroho Health of Polytechnic Ministry Health of Surabaya, Surabaya, Indonesia
  • Teta Puji Rahayu Health of Polytechnic Ministry Health of Surabaya, Surabaya, Indonesia
  • Astin Nur Hanifah Health of Polytechnic Ministry Health of Surabaya, Surabaya, Indonesia
  • Sulikah Health of Polytechnic Ministry Health of Surabaya, Surabaya, Indonesia
  • Agus Sarwo Prayogi Health of Polytechnic Ministry Health of Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55489/njcm.151120244635

Keywords:

Maternal nutrition, Maternal health, Nutritional challenges, Health solutions

Abstract

Optimal nutrition during pregnancy plays a vital role in ensuring maternal health and healthy fetal development. Appropriate nutritional needs, including macronutrients and micronutrients, are essential to support fetal growth, prevent pregnancy complications, and reduce the risk of premature birth and low birth weight. In Indonesia, maternal nutrition is still a major challenge, with a high prevalence of anemia and chronic energy deficiency. Factors such as economic constraints, unequal access to health services, lack of education about the importance of nutrition, and socio-cultural influences on diet, exacerbate this condition. The challenge in meeting the nutritional needs of pregnant women is also related to the low awareness and knowledge of nutrition among the community, especially in remote areas. To overcome this problem, a multi-sectoral approach is needed involving government intervention, community empowerment, and increasing access to health services. Continuous education and targeted nutritional assistance programs can be effective solutions in improving the nutritional status of pregnant women in Indonesia. Thus, strong cooperation is needed between various stakeholders to ensure optimal maternal health, which will ultimately improve the quality of future generations.

References

Apostolopoulou A, Tranidou A, Tsakiridis I, Magriplis E, Dagklis T, Chourdakis M. Effects of Nutrition on Maternal Health, Fetal Development, and Perinatal Outcomes. Nutrients. 2024 Jan 27;16(3):375. Doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16030375 PMID: 38337660; PMCID: PMC10857165.

Del Castillo-Matamoros SE, Poveda NE. Importance of nutrition in pregnant women. Rev Colomb Obstet Ginecol. 2021 Dec 30;72(4):339-345. Doi: https://doi.org/10.18597/rcog.3825 PMID: 35134281; PMCID: PMC8833237.

Suega K, Dharmayuda TG, Sutarga IM, Bakta IM. Iron-deficiency anemia in pregnant women in Bali, Indonesia: a profile of risk factors and epidemiology. Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health. 2002 Sep;33(3):604-7. PMID: 12693598.

Chaparro CM, Suchdev PS. Anemia epidemiology, pathophysiology, and etiology in low- and middle-income countries. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2019 Aug;1450(1):15-31. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/nyas.14092 Epub 2019 Apr 22. PMID: 31008520; PMCID: PMC6697587.

Atukunda P, Eide WB, Kardel KR, Iversen PO, Westerberg AC. Unlocking the potential for achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goal 2 - 'Zero Hunger' - in Africa: targets, strategies, synergies and challenges. Food Nutr Res. 2021 May 26;65. Doi: https://doi.org/10.29219/fnr.v65.7686 PMID: 34262413; PMCID: PMC8254460.

Brink LR, Bender TM, Davies R, Luo H, Miketinas D, Shah N, Loveridge N, Gross G, Fawkes N. Optimizing Maternal Nutrition: The Importance of a Tailored Approach. Curr Dev Nutr. 2022 Jul 22;6(9):nzac118. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/cdn/nzac118 PMID: 36157850; PMCID: PMC9492153.

Gernand AD, Schulze KJ, Stewart CP, West KP Jr, Christian P. Micronutrient deficiencies in pregnancy worldwide: health effects and prevention. Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2016 May;12(5):274-89. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrendo.2016.37 Epub 2016 Apr 1. PMID: 27032981; PMCID: PMC4927329.

Bukhari IA, Alzahrani NM, Alanazi GA, Al-Taleb MA, AlOtaibi HS. Anemia in Pregnancy: Effects on Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes at a University Hospital in Riyadh. Cureus. 2022 Jul 25;14(7):e27238. Doi: https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.27238 PMID: 36039215; PMCID: PMC9400921.

Karami M, Chaleshgar M, Salari N, Akbari H, Mohammadi M. Global Prevalence of Anemia in Pregnant Women: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Matern Child Health J. 2022 Jul;26(7):1473-1487. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-022-03450-1 Epub 2022 May 24. PMID: 35608810.

Collier AY, Molina RL. Maternal Mortality in the United States: Updates on Trends, Causes, and Solutions. Neoreviews. 2019 Oct;20(10):e561-e574. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1542/neo.20-10-e561 PMID: 31575778; PMCID: PMC7377107.

Zhong C, Tessing J, Lee BK, Lyall K. Maternal Dietary Factors and the Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Review of Existing Evidence. Autism Res. 2020 Oct;13(10):1634-1658. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.2402 Epub 2020 Oct 5. PMID: 33015977; PMCID: PMC9234972.

Atukunda P, Eide WB, Kardel KR, Iversen PO, Westerberg AC. Unlocking the potential for achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goal 2 - 'Zero Hunger' - in Africa: targets, strategies, synergies and challenges. Food Nutr Res. 2021 May 26;65. Doi: https://doi.org/10.29219/fnr.v65.7686 PMID: 34262413; PMCID: PMC8254460.

Schnitter R, Berry P. The Climate Change, Food Security and Human Health Nexus in Canada: A Framework to Protect Population Health. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019 Jul 16;16(14):2531. Doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16142531 PMID: 31315172; PMCID: PMC6678521.

Herawati DMD, Sunjaya DK. Implementation Outcomes of Na-tional Convergence Action Policy to Accelerate Stunting Pre-vention and Reduction at the Local Level in Indonesia: A Qual-itative Study. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Oct 20;19(20):13591. Doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192013591 PMID: 36294173; PMCID: PMC9602846.

Sandhu S, Sharma A, Cholera R, Bettger JP. Integrated Health and Social Care in the United States: A Decade of Policy Progress. Int J Integr Care. 2021 Oct 29;21(4):9. Doi: https://doi.org/10.5334/ijic.5687 PMID: 34785994; PMCID: PMC8570194.

Kehm R, Davey CS, Nanney MS. The role of family and commu-nity involvement in the development and implementation of school nutrition and physical activity policy. J Sch Health. 2015 Feb;85(2):90-9. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/josh.12231 PMID: 25564977; PMCID: PMC4903017

Dixon J. Improving the quality of care in health systems: towards better strategies. Isr J Health Policy Res. 2021 Feb 19;10(1):15. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13584-021-00448-y PMID: 33608042; PMCID: PMC7893377.

Morrison JL, Regnault TR. Nutrition in Pregnancy: Optimising Maternal Diet and Fetal Adaptations to Altered Nutrient Supply. Nutrients. 2016 Jun 4;8(6):342. Doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu8060342 PMID: 27271666; PMCID: PMC4924183.

Likhar A, Patil MS. Importance of Maternal Nutrition in the First 1,000 Days of Life and Its Effects on Child Development: A Narrative Review. Cureus. 2022 Oct 8;14(10):e30083. Doi: https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.30083 PMID: 36381799; PMCID: PMC9640361.

Lowensohn RI, Stadler DD, Naze C. Current Concepts of Maternal Nutrition. Obstet Gynecol Surv. 2016 Aug;71(7):413-26. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1097/OGX.0000000000000329 PMID: 27436176; PMCID: PMC4949006.

Beal T, Tumilowicz A, Sutrisna A, Izwardy D, Neufeld LM. A review of child stunting determinants in Indonesia. Matern Child Nutr. 2018 Oct;14(4):e12617. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.12617 Epub 2018 May 17. PMID: 29770565; PMCID: PMC6175423.

Downloads

Published

2024-11-01

How to Cite

1.
Suparji S, Wahito Nugroho HS, Puji Rahayu T, Nur Hanifah A, Sulikah, Prayogi AS. The Importance of Optimal Nutritional Intake for The Health of Pregnant Women in Indonesia: Key Challenges and Strategic Solutions. Natl J Community Med [Internet]. 2024 Nov. 1 [cited 2024 Nov. 21];15(11):993-7. Available from: https://njcmindia.com/index.php/file/article/view/4635

Issue

Section

Commentary