Jakarta, July 13, 2019 - Currently, the condition of double malnutrition in Indonesia, both stunting and obesity, is still a topic that is often discussed by the public. Various conditions of malnutrition are basically caused by nutrient intake that cannot meet or have exceeded the basic needs of children in accordance with the stages of growth and development. However, there are often special conditions in children that require parents to pay more attention to nutritional needs, such as children with cancer, so they do not experience malnutrition.
Desytha Rahma Dwi Utami, Danone Indonesia's External Communication Manager for Early Life Nutrition and Medical Nutrition in her opening said, "The series of activities 'Speak Nutrition' is part of the commitment of Danone's Specialized Nutrition business unit in Indonesia to continue to support education about the importance of nutrition at important times life, including for pediatric patients with non-communicable diseases. Today, we are working with the Pita Kuning Foundation in conducting nutrition education and other entertainment activities to prevent malnutrition in pediatric patients with cancer. "
Fulfillment of balanced nutrition in children with non-communicable diseases is a challenge for parents. In Indonesia, there is 3-5% prevalence of cancer in children (as many as 4156 cases). At present, up to 60% of pediatric patients with cancer are diagnosed with malnutrition, depending on the type of cancer, type of therapy, and method of measurement. But data on the condition of malnutrition in children with cancer still requires more in-depth research. Nonetheless, a study at Dr. Kandou Manado Hospital showed that 32.3% of children were malnourished and 12.9% were obese assessed at the end of chemotherapy induction. Cancer in children is the most common cause of child mortality in western countries.
Dr. Mururul Aisyi, Sp.A (K) explains, "Currently, the incidence of cancer in children reaches 9 out of 100,000 children aged 0-17 years spread across Indonesia with diverse types, with the most frequent cases being leukemia, retinoblastoma, osteosarcoma , neuroblastoma, malignant lymphoma, carcinoma, and nasopharynx. Children with cancer do have their own challenges, especially in fluctuating nutritional needs. However, that does not mean children with cancer do not have the opportunity to have optimal growth and development. In fact, they need to pay more attention to nutrition when undergoing medical treatment. "
Pediatric patients with cancer are susceptible to various conditions of malnutrition due to increased energy consumption or impaired absorption of nutrients that can be caused by treatment / treatment, or the disease itself. Some types of treatments that can affect the condition of nutritional status generally are side effects of chemotherapy; such as vomiting, anorexia, and malabsorption; to an increase in appetite due to consumption of anti-inflammatory drugs such as corticosteroids. "In fact, it is important for pediatric patients with cancer to get optimal nutrition to offset the burden of disease and maintain the functional capacity of the body during the treatment period," continued Dr. Mururul.
Steny Agustaf, Chair of the Indonesian Children's Yellow Ribbon Foundation, a non-profit organization concerned with the issue of pediatric cancer in Indonesia explained that, "From our experience so far in assisting cancer patients, we believe that the biggest change starts from the family, especially parents to his son is undergoing cancer treatment. Parents are the spearhead of their children's lives, and therefore the fathers and mothers in Pitakuning who are tough we must provide useful knowledge, one of which is knowing the best nutrition for their children. So parents can provide foods with the best nutrition for their children and the care process can run more optimally. "
Related to the nutritional challenges of children with cancer, Dr. Cut Nurul Hafifah, Sp.A explained, "Every child who has a problem in fulfilling nutrition is prone to experiencing malnutrition, especially children with non-communicable diseases such as cancer. Children with cancer generally experience increased energy and protein requirements resulting from various complications. If nutritional problems are not handled properly, children with cancer can have consequences such as stunting, increased risk of complications, decreased response and tolerance to treatment, relapse (relapse) and decreased survival rates. "
Nutritional support is an important factor in the management of patients with non-communicable diseases in children. Not only to prevent the occurrence of malnutrition, the role of nutritional status can also have a good impact on therapeutic response, quality of life, to the cost of health services in one PTM such as cancer. In fact, normal nutritional status can also be associated with better cancer cure rates. In some cases, one type of nutrition that can answer the fulfillment of nutrition is a special processed food in liquid or solid form which has a high energy and protein content.
Furthermore, Dr. Cut added, "Providing nutritional intake according to the needs of children with cancer must be followed by routine monitoring to health facilities, especially for pediatric patients with cancer who are still in the First 1,000 Days of Life. If not handled properly, children will be threatened with stunting, namely permanent physical and cognitive disorders caused by chronic malnutrition. Even if you have a non-communicable disease, it does not mean the child's cognitive condition can be secondary. "
In addition to holding an educational talkshow, dozens of Danone employees in Indonesia also participated in conducting volunteering activities in the form of mentoring drawing activities guided by the Drawing Class community to participate in storytelling activities. Apart from organizing the event, Danone in Indonesia through the @nutrisibangsa account also created educational content related to cancer in children which was also distributed by the Pita Kuning Foundation to members of their community. "We hope that the entire series of education and entertainment activities by our employees is able to increase public awareness and parents about the importance of fulfilling nutrition according to the needs of children, including children with cancer. Other useful information about information about nutrition and growth and development, can be accessed through the digital channel Nutrition for the Nation, namely Instagram @NutrisiBangsa, twitter @nutrisi_bangsa, to Facebook and the Nutrition for the Nation microsite, "concluded Desytha.
