Micronutrient deficiencies (MNDs) in school-aged children are still a major health problem in Indonesia. This study was designed to examine the status of micronutrients and their relationship to the nutritional status of children aged 5–12 years since an up-to-date database on the micronutrient status of children aged 5–12 years is needed. Data from the 2018 Indonesian Basic Health Research (Riskesdas) were used in this study, with 2456 subjects for analysis. Micronutrient analysis was carried out, including iron status (ferritin, C reactive protein (CRP)), levels of zinc, vitamin D, calcium, and vitamin A (retinol) in school-aged children (5–12 years). The ELISA measurement was applied to measure CRP, ferritin, and vitamin D. Zinc levels were analysed with atomic absorbance spectroscopy (AAS). Moreover, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was applied to calculate vitamin A. In addition, stunting and thinness data were also obtained from the Riskesdas study. The results showed that the prevalence of stunting and thinness in school-aged children was 11.4% and 9.2%, respectively, showing that the stunting prevalence in the city was lower than in the village (4.5% vs. 6.9%, = 0.000, respectively). In addition, the prevalence of MNDs in Indonesian children was 13.4%, 19.7%, 4.2%, 3%, and 12.7% for ferritin, zinc, calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin D, respectively. The mean serum level of vitamin A and zinc was significantly lower in stunted children compared to normal school children ( = 0.010 and = 0.014). The serum concentration of vitamin D was significantly lower in overweight children compared to thin and normal children ( = 0.000). Serum values of ferritin, zinc, and vitamin A were significantly higher in overweight children compared to thin and normal children ( = 0.000). A poor correlation was observed between the z-score of height-for-age (HAZ) and the levels of zinc (r = 0.089, = 0.000), vitamin A (r = 0.105, = 0.000), and vitamin D (−0.073, = 0.000). In addition, very weak correlations between z-scores of body mass index-for-age (BAZ) and the serum concentrations of ferritin (0.091, = 0.000), zinc (r = 0.115, = 0.000), vitamin A (r = 0.137, = 0.000), and vitamin D (r = −0.112, = 0.000) were also seen. In conclusion, school-aged children in Indonesia experienced stunting, thinness, and micronutrient deficiency. Furthermore, stunting and thinness were also related to micronutrient deficiencies.

Indonesia, one of the largest tropical forests, offers a diverse range of nectar sources that contribute to the unique characteristics of forest honey. This study aims to investigate physicochemical and antioxidant properties of Apis dorsata forest honey from three distinct regions of Indonesia. Key physicochemical parameters include moisture, color, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), density, diastase number (DN), hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), pH, total acidity, ash content, protein content, and reducing sugars. Antioxidant properties, assessed through total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), DPPH radical scavenging activity, ascorbic acid equivalent antioxidant capacity (AEAC), and ferric reducing power (FRP), revealed significant regional variability. Principal component analysis (PCA) distinguished honey samples based on these attributes. These findings provide preliminary insights into the variability of Indonesian forest honeys. However, the small sample size limits generalizations, and further research with larger datasets is essential for validation.

This study aimed to estimate chemical composition, glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) of cake and cookies from native and corn starch modified with 4% green tea extract 58-62 °Brix. Chemical composition analysis includes proximate, starch, dietary fiber and resistant starch. GI test was conducted in vivo on 12 healthy people. The results show no significant differences in chemical composition between native and modified corn starch cake and cookies (p>0.05), except starch total of cake and dietary fiber total, insoluble dietary fiber and soluble dietary fiber content of cookies. GI and GL decreased only in cakes from 85.02 to 74.96 and 15.35 to 12.41 respectively. The decrease was not significant (p>0.05). Cake of modified corn starch still had high GI, but intermediate GL. Cookies of native and modified corn starch had low GI (52.23) and intermediate GI (58.25) respectively. The GI of of both products were not significantly different (p>0.05). GL of modified corn starch cookies significantly higher than native. Cookies of modified corn starch and native had high GL, 23.38 and 20.66 respectively The study concluded that corn starch modified with green tea extract had not been effective yet in reduction GI and GL of the processed products.

Anaemia is still a public health problem in Indonesia. The iron supplement program, known as Tablet Tambah Darah (Blood Add Tablet) has not yet produced optimal results. This study aimed to identify the cause of anaemia and the factors that influence it. Biochemical indicator data are haemoglobin (Hb), C-reactive protein (CRP), ferritin and serum transferrin receptor (sTfR) from 9,463 women of reproduction age. Data from the Basic Health Research (Riskesdas) project of 2013 were used for the study. ANOVA as well as global and local regression approaches (classical regression and geo-weighted regression) were used to compare the mean Hb and CRP values between provinces and to determine the factors that influence Hb concentrations. The results showed that the distribution of anaemia in Indonesia is uneven and not always caused by iron deficiency. The lowest Hb mean coupled with the highest iron deficiency was found in Papua, where there are high rates of parasitic infections. In contrast, the highest mean Hb coupled with low iron deficiency, and also low infection rates, was found in North Sulawesi. The Hb concentrations were significantly associated by ferritin, CRP and sTfR and there were varying magnitudes between provinces. Although anaemia is mainly influenced by the iron concentration, CRP, ferritin and sTfR can also affect it through their association with inflammatory reactions. Identification of all causes of anaemia in each province needs to be done in the future, while blanket iron supplementation should be reviewed.

This study aimed to develop seaweed flour from various types of seaweed (Euchemma cottonii, Gracillaria verrucosa) with various drying methods (sun, vacuum oven, cabinet drying, drum drying) and types of fishy odor removal [solution of Ca(OH)₂and lime each 5%, 0.25% star anise, 0.33% clove powder], analyze iodine content and acceptability. Iodine content and acceptability were analyzed by ICP-OES and multiple comparison test, respectively. The results showed that the types of fishy odor removal significantly affected the organoleptic acceptance of seaweed flour with the best acceptance being 5% Ca(OH)₂solution (p<0.05). Iodine content between drying methods and types of seaweed was significantly different (p<0,05). Seaweed flour with drum drying significantly had the highest iodine content, 89.96 (Euchemma cottonii) and 564.15 mg/kg dw (Gracillaria verrucose). Seaweed flour fromGracillaria verrucosahad significantly higher iodine content thanEuchemma cottonii, 205.26 and 41.58 mg/kg dw, respectively (p<0.05). The study concluded that types of fishy odor removal with the best panelist acceptance, types of seaweed, and drying methods that produce seaweed flour with the highest iodine are 5% Ca(OH)2 solution,Gracillaria verrucosaand drum drying, respectively. Seaweed flour had the potential as an ingredient in the development of nutrient-rich products, especially iodine.