"Our people's eating pattern still does not comply with the ministry's 'Isi Piringku' recommendation," the Ministry's official Widyawati (one name) said during the Indonesia Ethnic Creativity Parade event here on Sunday.
"This is despite the fact that it is one of the methods to prevent non-communicable diseases, such as cancer," she said.
The Isi Piringku portion comprises having the two-thirds of the one half of the plate be filled with carbohydrate and the one-third of it with protein.
Two-thirds of the second half of the plate is filled with vegetables and the one-third comprises fruit.
She explained that 30-50 percent of cancer risks can be prevented by avoiding risk factors and implementing a healthy lifestyle, such as maintaining eating patterns.
"According to the Basic Health Research's (Riskesdas') data, our people still prefer sweet foods (40.1 percent), salty foods (29.7 percent), fatty foods (41.7 percent), burnt foods (5.1 percent) and food seasonings (77.6 percent)," she said.
Moreover, Indonesians still consume less vegetables and fruits (95.4 percent), still consume alcoholic drinks (3.3 percent), lack physical activities (33.5 percent), and smoke (24.4 percent).
To avoid the risk of cancer, the ministry also consistently conducts "CERDIK" education which is an abbreviation of "Routine health check, eliminate smoke, routinely exercise, balanced diet, adequate rest and manage stress."
There is also "PATUH" which is "check health regularly and follow doctor's recommendation, manage disease with consistent and routine medication, manage healthy diet with balanced nutrition, conduct physical activity safely and avoid smoke, alcohol and other carcinogen."
"We need the active participation and collaboration from all levels of society to provide their commitment and support toward cancer prevention and mitigation," Widyawati said.
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Translator: Lintang B P, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Tia Mutiasari
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