Urban malnutrition has become a growing public health concern in Indonesia, particularly among students residing in urban areas and boarding schools. Although urban areas offer a wide variety of food choices, many of these options are high in calories but low in nutritional quality.
This paradox results in students consuming sufficient or even excessive calories while still lacking essential nutrients. Researchers describe this phenomenon as part of Indonesia’s “triple burden of malnutrition,” which encompasses undernutrition, obesity, and micronutrient deficiencies that co-occur within the same population (Rah et al., 2021).
As Indonesia continues to urbanize rapidly, the dietary habits of young people living in cities demand deeper attention.
A growing body of research shows that Indonesian adolescents frequently engage in unhealthy eating patterns shaped by convenience, affordability, and lifestyle pressures.
(Rachmi et al. 2017) highlighted that adolescents often rely heavily on processed snacks, sugary beverages, and high-sodium fast foods such as chips, instant noodles, burgers, and fries.
These eating patterns are influenced by the increasing pace of urban life, long school hours, and the widespread availability of inexpensive processed food near campuses.
While these foods may satisfy hunger, their low nutrient density fails to meet adolescent’s physiological needs. Over time, these habits lead to deficiencies in vitamins, minerals, and protein, all of which are essential for cognitive development, immune function, and overall well-being.
The issue becomes even more complex within boarding school environments, where students have restricted control over their daily meals. Studies reveal that Indonesian boarding schools, especially in urban regions, often lack the infrastructure, funding, or nutrition education needed to provide balanced meals.
(Indriasari et al. 2020) Found that adolescents in Islamic boarding schools faced alarming rates of both undernutrition and overweight conditions, which were linked to limited access to nutritious food and insufficient dietary knowledge.
Many students resort to outdoor stalls or convenience stores to purchase quick snacks that are high in fat, sugar, and salt, further worsening their nutritional status. These structural challenges highlight how environmental factors strongly influence student’s food choices.
Another critical factor contributing to urban malnutrition is the increasing trend of snack-based eating. (Hidayanti et al. 2023) found that female students in Tasikmalaya who prioritized snacks over main meals were significantly more likely to experience malnutrition, showing that the pattern of eating rather than simply the quantity has major health implications.
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Snack-dominant diets often fail to provide adequate protein, fibre, and micronutrients, leading to anaemia, stunting, and fatigue. In contrast, students who consumed regular main meals tended to have more balanced nutrient intakes, although they were still at risk depending on the quality of the meals provided.
These findings emphasize the importance of cultivating healthy eating patterns during adolescence, a period in which nutritional needs are particularly high.
The effects of urban malnutrition are far-reaching and extend beyond physical health. Poor nutrition influences academic performance, concentration, emotional stability, and long-term disease risk.
Students who lack essential nutrients may experience difficulty focusing in class, reduced energy levels, and greater susceptibility to illness.
Overweight and obesity in adolescence also increase the likelihood of chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension later in life (Rah et al., 2021). If these patterns continue, Indonesia risks seeing a generation of young people entering adulthood with preventable health burdens, reduced productivity, and decreased quality of life.
In conclusion, urban malnutrition among Indonesian students reflects a complex interplay of lifestyle habits, economic limitations, and structural challenges within school and city food environments. A meaningful response requires collaboration among schools, families, and the students themselves.
Baca Juga: Food Borne Disease: Penyebab, Pencegahan, dan Dampaknya bagi Kesehatan
Increasing nutrition education, improving the quality of food provided in boarding schools, promoting affordable, healthy meal options, and encouraging balanced eating habits are essential steps toward addressing this issue.
With greater awareness and coordinated efforts, Indonesia can build a future where all students, regardless of where they live or study, have the knowledge and access needed to maintain healthy eating patterns. By prioritizing adolescent nutrition today, the nation invests in a healthier, stronger, and more resilient generation for tomorrow.
Penulis: Tanesvary Vadivelu
Student of Kedokteran Hewan Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR)
Editor: Ika Ayuni Lestari
Bahasa: Rahmat Al Kafi
References
Hidayanti, L., Fayasari, A., Muniroh, L., Adhidharma, P., & Dharmawan, Y. (2023). Association of malnutrition and main-meal- and snack-predominant intake among female adolescent students in boarding schools in Tasikmalaya, Indonesia. Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health, 35(5), 431–439. https://doi.org/10.1177/02601060231166224
Indriasari, R., Madanijah, S., Ekayanti, I., & Arundhana, A. (2020). Alarming nutrition problems among adolescent students attending Islamic boarding school in Indonesia. Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition, 39(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rimih.2020.100700
Rah, J. H., Wiradnyani, L. A. A., Fatchiati, S., Roshita, A., & Bellows, A. (2021). The triple burden of malnutrition among adolescents in Indonesia. Food and Nutrition Bulletin, 42(2), 135–149. https://doi.org/10.1177/03795721211007114
Rachmi, C. N., Li, M., Baur, L. A., & Zhang, L. (2017). Eating behaviour of Indonesian adolescents: A systematic review of the literature. Public Health Nutrition, 20(10), 1820–1832. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980017000310
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