As 80 Percent of Indonesian Children Still Lack of DHA Intake

Jakarta, MINA – The commemoration of National Nutrition Day falls on January 25, but there is an unpleasant news about the lack of (docosahexaenoic acid) DHA intake from Indonesian children.

A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition (2016) entitled “Intake of essential fatty acids in Indonesian children: secondary analysis of data from a nationally representative survey” found that 8 of 10 Indonesian children aged 4-12 years lack of brain nutrition because only get a little intake of essential fatty acids, especially the intake of DHA and Omega 3.

E Fatty Acid (EFA) is a group of fatty acids that important for human health and must be fulfilled from food intake.

According to Professor of Institut Pertanian Bogor (IPB) Prof. Dr. Ir. Ahmad Sulaeman who participated in the study, stated that the lack of DHA intake should be a common concern because these substances are important and crucial to influence the physical condition and intelligence of children.

Sulaeman stated, DHA and Omega 3 are very beneficial in the development of the nervous system, the formation of healthy cell membranes, and hormone production.

The lack of Omega 3 and DHA is very dangerous. Because it could impact to the healthy future of children, including children who are less intelligent, grow imperfectly, and weakened immunity.

The National Nutrition Day commemoration should be a momentum to realize the importance of intake of DHA and Omega 3 for children through increasing consumption of foods rich in the intake of essential fatty acids including growth milk containing DHA. (T/Sj/P2)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)