Title:
Nutritional concerns of a vegetarian diet among adolescents in Indonesia
Authors:
Suyanto
Year:
2008
PAGE:
viii, 67
Language:
eng
Subject:
Health and Nutrition
Keywords:
health
,
nutrition
,
youth
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: In Indonesia, general opinion finds it is still hard to accept that vegetarianism is suitable for adolescence. Hence, the increase of popularity of vegetarianism among adolescent has raised a concern about possible risk to get nutritional deficiencies. OBJECTIVE: This thesis reviews available literature on nutritional concerns of vegetarian adolescents and links those with Indonesia context. Evaluation of this topic is aimed to improve Indonesian adolescent health status and to strengthen Indonesia Vegetarian Society activities on vegetarian promotion in the future. METHODOLOGY: Review of journal papers was conducted. Literature was obtained from Pubmed database and KIT library as well. While Web based document was explored by using Google search engine. For complementing the result of studies, my direct observation during living with vegetarian adolescents was used. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: In principle a well planned vegetarian diet appears to neither lead to deficiencies nor harmful effects on the growth and development in adolescence. Iron, protein, calcium, zinc, fatty acid and vitamin B12 were highlighted as the critical and key nutritional needs for them. Those nutrients can be obtained appropriately when adolescents follow Vegetarian Food Pyramid. However, lack of nutrition information, resistances from doctors and lack of support by parents which is experienced by some of Indonesian adolescents could potentially lead to nutritional deficiencies and effect on growth and development. Hence Indonesia Vegetarian Society, Ministry of Health, and other stake-holders responses and measures to raise stake-holder’s awareness is needed.
Organization:
KIT - Royal Tropical Institute
Institute:
KIT (Royal Tropical Institute)
Department:
Development Policy & Practice
Country:
Indonesia
Region:
Southeast Asia
Training:
Master of Public Health / International Course in Health Development (ICHD)
Category:
Research
Right:
© 2008 Suyanto
Document type:
Thesis/dissertation
File:
185315.pdf