RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) expands nutrition support programs in Indonesia to address malnutrition among children and adolescents. The Nutrition Specialist of UNICEF Indonesia, David Colozza, made the statement during the SHAPE Asia Country Meeting in Jakarta on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.

UNICEF Indonesia said the country still faces challenges related to undernutrition, stunting, overweight, and obesity. Rising consumption of ultra-processed foods and limited physical activity remain major concerns among school-age children.

He further said UNICEF has supported Indonesia’s nutrition programs for several years. The cooperation covers broader nutrition issues and supports efforts to reduce multiple forms of malnutrition.

“So, UNICEF has been supporting the government of Indonesia for about seven years now. Throughout, let's say, the broad issues of nutrition. And as of now, we are supporting reduction of the triple burden,” he said.

Moreover, David explained that UNICEF developed the Nutrition Environment Assessment Toolkit for Schools, or NEEPS, across Asia-Pacific countries. The tool assesses school food environments, nutrition services, physical activity, and nutrition education systems.

The study also supports advocacy efforts for stronger food environment policies and evidence-based nutrition interventions in Indonesia. UNICEF used the findings to help design pilot nutrition programs implemented across several regions.

“We collected data with the tool that I just mentioned. The project was led by our HQ here in Jakarta, but also supported by offices in Java, Sulawesi, and Papua. We looked at these three regions,” he added.

The study was conducted between 2023 and 2024 to understand differences in school food environments across Indonesia. UNICEF said the findings remain relevant for supporting healthier school nutrition policies and future intervention programs.

UNICEF continues working with the Indonesian government to strengthen nutrition programs and healthier school food environments nationwide. The cooperation also supports efforts to reduce stunting and improve children’s health quality across Indonesia.