The Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Nutrition, Health and Environment in Indonesia: A Qualitative Investigation of Perspectives from Multi-Disciplinary Experts

Oyedolapo A. Anyanwu (), Elena N. Naumova, Virginia R. Chomitz, Fang Fang Zhang, Kenneth Chui, Martha I. Kartasurya and Sara C. Folta
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Oyedolapo A. Anyanwu: Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, 150 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 20111, USA
Elena N. Naumova: Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, 150 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 20111, USA
Virginia R. Chomitz: Public Health & Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Tufts University, 136 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 20111, USA
Fang Fang Zhang: Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, 150 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 20111, USA
Kenneth Chui: Public Health & Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Tufts University, 136 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 20111, USA
Martha I. Kartasurya: Department of Public Health Nutrition, Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Diponegoro, Semarang 50275, Jawa Tengah, Indonesia
Sara C. Folta: Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, 150 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 20111, USA

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 18, 1-20

Abstract: Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic impacted food systems, health systems and the environment globally, with potentially greater negative effects in many lower-middle income countries (LMICs) including Indonesia. The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate the potential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on diets, health and the marine environment in Indonesia, based on the perspectives of a multidisciplinary group of informants. Methods: We conducted remote in-depth interviews with 27 key informants from many regions of Indonesia, who are either healthcare providers, nutrition researchers or environmental researchers. Interview question guides were developed based on a socio-ecological framework. We analyzed the data using a qualitative content analysis approach. Results: Informants suggested that while the COVID-19 brought increased awareness about and adherence to good nutrition and health behaviors, the impact was transitory. Informants indicated that healthy food options became less affordable, due to job losses and reduced income, suggesting a likely increase in food insecurity and obesity. Environmental researchers described higher levels of marine pollution from increase in hygienic wastes as well as from plastic packaging from food orders. Conclusions: Our findings reveal perceptions by informants that the increased awareness and adherence to health behaviors observed during the pandemic was not sustained. Our results also suggest that the pandemic may have exacerbated the double-burden paradox and marine pollution in Indonesia. This study offers information for generating hypotheses for quantitative studies to corroborate our findings and inform policies and programs to mitigate the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 on diets, health, and the marine environment in Indonesia.

Keywords: COVID-19; diets; population health; marine environment; multi-disciplinary team (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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