Understanding What Vitamin Deficiency Is in Indonesia

December 21, 2025 •

3 min read

According to a 2023 meta-analysis, Vitamin D deficiency affects approximately one-third of Indonesian children and adolescents, highlighting a significant public health concern despite the country's abundant sun exposure. This widespread issue is part of a larger picture of micronutrient deficiencies impacting vulnerable populations across the archipelago, including deficiencies in iron and Vitamin A.

Quick Summary

This article explores the primary vitamin deficiencies affecting the Indonesian population, detailing the prevalence of deficiencies in Vitamin D, iron, and Vitamin A. It discusses the causes, consequences, and current public health strategies aimed at combating these nutritional challenges. We delve into specific issues faced by different demographics, such as children, adolescents, and older adults, and compare Indonesia's status to other countries in the region.

Key Points

Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency: Approximately one-third of Indonesian children and adolescents suffer from Vitamin D deficiency, with a higher prevalence in females.
Factors for Low Vitamin D: Despite ample sunshine, limited sun exposure due to lifestyle, cultural norms, and low consumption of fortified foods are key contributing factors.
Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA): IDA is a persistent public health issue affecting nearly half of pregnant women and significant proportions of adolescents and young children.
Other Micronutrient Issues: Subclinical Vitamin A deficiency persists, and broader malnutrition concerns regarding protein and Vitamin B12 exist, particularly among older adults and low-income groups.
Holistic Solutions: Effective strategies involve combining supplementation with targeted, behavior-focused education, promoting safe sun exposure, and improving dietary habits through policy and community engagement.

Prevalence of Vitamin Deficiencies in Indonesia

Indonesia faces several public health issues related to nutrition, including significant vitamin deficiencies. Despite being a country with ample sunlight, Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent, particularly among children and adolescents. A 2023 meta-analysis found that around 33% of Indonesian children and adolescents have hypovitaminosis D, with a higher rate in females (60%) compared to males (40%). Lifestyle and cultural practices that limit sun exposure contribute to this. The SEANUTS study also indicated lower Vitamin D levels in Indonesian children compared to their regional counterparts.

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is another major public health issue, significantly impacting pregnant women, female adolescents, and young children. A 2018 survey highlighted high anemia prevalence in pregnant women (48.9%), children under five (38.5%), and individuals aged 15-24 (32%). Most anemia cases in countries like Indonesia are due to iron deficiency, and it is also linked to stunting in children.

While severe clinical Vitamin A deficiency has been reduced by supplementation programs, subclinical deficiency remains a concern. A study in Central Java showed low serum retinol concentrations in a notable percentage of preschool children. Furthermore, deficiencies in nutrients like protein and Vitamin B12 are also concerns, especially for older adults and lower-income groups.

Factors Contributing to Nutritional Deficiencies

Several factors contribute to these deficiencies:

Dietary Habits: Insufficient intake of iron-rich foods, low-protein diets, and consuming substances that hinder iron absorption are common.
Cultural and Behavioral Practices: For Vitamin D, avoiding sun exposure for various reasons significantly contributes to low levels.
Socioeconomic Status: Limited access to affordable, nutrient-dense foods affects lower-income populations.
Health and Infections: Infections can worsen malnutrition and nutrient absorption.

Comparison of Vitamin Deficiencies


Feature	Vitamin D Deficiency	Iron Deficiency	Vitamin A Deficiency	Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Prevalence	Widespread in children and adolescents (est. 33%), higher in females	Significant public health problem in women and children, with high anemia rates	Subclinical deficiency affects many children, despite past successful intervention programs	Identified as a significant nutrient inadequacy concern, particularly in older adults and lower-income groups
Primary Cause(s)	Insufficient sun exposure due to lifestyle, culture, and skin pigmentation	Inadequate iron intake, poor absorption, and high demand in vulnerable groups	Inadequate dietary intake of Vitamin A-rich foods	Poor intake of animal-based foods, especially in low-income populations
At-Risk Groups	Infants, children, adolescents (especially females), and older adults	Pregnant women, female adolescents, and young children	Preschool children	Community-dwelling older adults and low-income groups
Interventions	Promotion of safe sun exposure, food fortification (limited), and supplementation	Iron-folic acid tablet supplementation, nutritional education, dietary interventions	Vitamin A supplementation programs	Addressing diet through supplementation and promoting diverse food intake

Public Health Strategies and Interventions

Indonesia employs various strategies to combat these deficiencies:

National Health Initiatives

Iron-Folic Acid Supplementation: Distribution programs for pregnant women and female adolescents face challenges with adherence.
Vitamin A Supplementation: Successful programs have reduced severe deficiency in young children.
Salt Iodization: A program to address Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) is in place, though consistent adequate iodization remains a goal.

Addressing Specific Deficiencies

Vitamin D: Public health campaigns promoting safe sun exposure and increasing the availability of fortified foods are recommended.
Iron Deficiency: Promoting iron-rich food consumption and Vitamin C intake, alongside supplementation, is crucial.
Targeted Education: Behavior-focused health education is essential for improving adherence to supplementation and healthy diets.

The Role of Community and Policy

Addressing these issues requires multi-sectoral collaboration. Policies supporting food labeling and affordable nutritious food are important. Community involvement in health education can significantly impact behavior. Indonesia's commitment to combating stunting provides a good foundation for integrated approaches. Continued research is needed to evaluate program effectiveness. More information on global efforts can be found on the World Health Organization website.

Conclusion

Indonesia faces significant vitamin deficiencies, including Vitamin D insufficiency, iron deficiency anemia, and subclinical Vitamin A deficiency. Lifestyle, cultural factors, dietary habits, and socioeconomic status all contribute. Effective interventions require a comprehensive approach combining supplementation, education, and policy changes to improve the nutritional well-being of the Indonesian population.

Frequently Asked Questions

While multiple deficiencies exist, Vitamin D insufficiency is particularly widespread, affecting approximately 33% of children and adolescents, despite Indonesia being a tropical country with year-round sun.

Despite ample sunlight, many Indonesians, particularly urban dwellers, have limited sun exposure due to indoor lifestyles, cultural practices that encourage covering up, and a general desire for lighter skin.

Yes, iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a significant public health problem, especially affecting vulnerable groups like pregnant women (prevalence of 48.9%) and young children.

The Indonesian government distributes iron-folic acid tablets to at-risk groups, though challenges remain with adherence. Educational campaigns also promote better dietary habits to increase iron intake.

While clinical Vitamin A deficiency has been largely eliminated by supplementation programs, subclinical deficiency remains a concern among young children.

Yes, older adults in Indonesia are at high risk of malnutrition and nutrient inadequacies, with deficiencies in protein, calcium, Vitamin D, and Vitamin B12 being common.

Lower socioeconomic status is linked to poorer nutritional intake across the board, with individuals in lower-income brackets having lower adequacy levels for many key nutrients.