The rising epidemic of childhood obesity worldwide is a major public health challenge. Despite its urgency, there is a lack of data on the awareness and implementation of preventative measures. This study aims to identify areas for improvement in the prevention and management of childhood obesity worldwide. A cross-sectional electronic survey was distributed to 132 national pediatric societies members of the International Pediatric Association. Twenty-eight participants from different countries across six WHO regions completed the survey. Most participants reported that national prevalence data of childhood obesity is available (78.6%), and the number increased during the COVID-19 pandemic (60.7%). In most countries (78.6%), the amount of sugar and salt is provided in children's products, but only 42.9% enacted regulations on children-targeted advertising. Childhood obesity prevention programs from the government (64.3%) and schools (53.6%) are available with existing support from private or non-profit organizations (71.4%). Participants were aware of WHO's guidance concerning childhood obesity (78.6%), while fewer were aware of UNICEF's guidance (50%). Participants reported that WHO/UNICEF guidance acted as a reference to develop policies, regulations and national programs. However, progress is hindered by poor compliance. Lastly, participants provided suggestions on tackling obesity with responses ranging from developing and reinforcing policies, involvement of schools, and prevention across all life stages. There are different practices in implementing prevention measures against childhood obesity globally, particularly in statutory regulation on food advertising and national programs. While support and awareness is relatively high, its implementation is hindered. This reflects the need for prompt country-specific evaluation and interventions.

The expansion of newborn screening (NBS) for congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is essential to reducing the number of preventable intellectual disabilities in children. Because of logistical issues, including geographic extremes, distinct cultures, and 4.8 million births annually, Indonesia has struggled to achieve universal NBS coverage. A national cross-sectional electronic survey was conducted to explore challenges in CH NBS. Responses from 423 healthcare professionals and program administrators across 30 provinces in Indonesia were collected. The major challenges reported were refusal from families (39.2%), newborns being discharged <24 h (38.3%), and limited availability of filter paper (35.9%). The respondents considered refusal from families to be due to fear, while others did not understand the necessity of CH NBS. The vast majority of respondents believed that parents do not have sufficient understanding regarding CH NBS (96.5%). Our study found that only 38.5% of respondents had received formal CH NBS training, with pediatric endocrinologists being the only profession in which all respondents had been trained. Concerted efforts are needed to improve the access to and availability of resources, increase the capacity for sample collection and analysis, empower healthcare professionals, and develop educational resources to promote understanding and acceptance of NBS amongst families.

Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) is a chronic condition requiring lifelong management that affects a large number of children and adolescents globally. While diabetes care has improved over the years, low-middle income countries (LMIC) like Indonesia still struggle to achieve optimal diabetes care due to limited access to healthcare professionals, insulin, diabetes technologies, and self-monitoring blood glucose (SMBG) devices. Data from the Indonesian Pediatric Society registry has reflected a stark increase in the number of children with T1DM, with the current prevalence significantly concentrated on Java Island and a noticeable underreporting in rural regions. Another major challenge is the uneven distribution of pediatric endocrinologists, resulting in a low specialist-to-patient ratio. This imbalance, coupled with inadequate access to comprehensive diabetes care, complicates effective T1DM management. While the national insurance covers a portion of costs associated with T1DM care, vital aspects of T1DM management including SMBG devices are still not covered, resulting in significant financial burden to families. Access to diabetes technologies that improve glycemic control and quality of life of patients is also still largely limited. This paper evaluates the current state and future needs for insulin and SMBG in Indonesia, emphasizing the necessity of strategic interventions to improve access and quality of diabetes care.