Food Trade Does Not Exist, Contributing to Malnutrition in Asmat Ethnicity

• Published in: Annals of nutrition and metabolism 2019-01, Vol.75, p.241
• Main Author: Sirajuddin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Children; Farmers; Food; Food security; Food supply; Malnutrition; Minority & ethnic groups; Nutrition; Nutrition research; Nutritional status; Rice; Underweight
• ISSN: 0250-6807; 1421-9697
• DOI: 10.1159/000501751

Background/Aims: The Citak Sub Ethnic Asmat ethnic group is one of the ethnic groups who still choose to live semi nomadically. Based on the above notes, this study aims to describe the way food is provided and the nutritional status of Asmat ethnic children in Papua Province. Methods: This study is a cross-sectional study, the sample size of 197 people, purposively in 12 Kolofbrasa Papua District villages. Results: The results of the study revealed that the majority of the population of ethnic Citak Asmat sub-ethnic groups were 43.19% and had no permanent employment as much as 35.68%. Farmers in the Kolofbrasa district are farmers moving to move without permanent land. Food supply is daily (sago) for consumption of two to three days. There are no sago trade transactions although these foods are stapled foods, as are other foods. Especially for rice is only obtained through poor rice assistance by the government every three months. The absence of a market as a center for trade in food commodities. Food supply influenced by program social safety net (rice low cost) by government Indonesia. The nutritional status of children were wasting, stunting and underweight respectively 17.3%, 40% and 26.8%. Conclusions: The absence of food trade and market in Kolofbrasa sub district Asmat Papua and also semi nomadic population were at risk of malnutrition for child.