BRIN Study: Indonesian Children and Adolescents Far from Balanced Nutrition

A study by the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) found that the eating patterns of children and adolescents in Indonesia are still far from balanced nutrition principles. What were their findings? Researcher at the BRIN Center for Public Health and Nutrition Research, Rika Rachmalina, presented data showing that nine out of ten children aged 5-19 consume less than five servings of fruits and vegetables per day. Meanwhile, some adolescents do not even consume fruits, vegetables, or protein sources at all in a week. ‘On the other hand, the consumption of sweet, salty, and fatty foods is high. Around five in ten children consume sweet drinks every day,’ said Rika on the BRIN website cited on Wednesday (10/29/2025). According to Rika, the social environment and media also play a significant role. This is influenced by the ease of finding fast food, affordable prices, and social media trends promoting trendy eating places. ‘Non-traditional foods are now seen as more prestigious and modern,’ said Rika.