Excellencies, good afternoon everyone.

Having just arrived in your beautiful country this morning, it is a great pleasure for me to be here and discuss the important topic of healthy, organic parenting.

Nutrition or its opposite, malnutrition is a universal issue that no country in the world can afford to overlook.

I read recently, that a third of reproductive-age women are anaemic, while 39% of the world’s adults are overweight or obese and each year around 20 million babies are born underweight.

And that progress to address malnutrition is being made, but it is too slow and patchy.

Beyond health, slow progress on malnutrition also impacts the social and economic development of countries. Good nutrition is essential to child survival, health and development.

Well-nourished children grow as they should and are better able to learn; they are better able to take part in and contribute to their communities; and more resilient in the face of disease, disasters, and other crises.

Children under 5 and mothers have always been the primary focus of stakeholders working in nutrition. However, individuals face different and substantial nutritional vulnerabilities throughout their life-cycle.

In order to break the intergenerational cycle of malnutrition, we need to invest in good nutrition throughout childhood and …adolescence.

Children continue to grow and develop until the age of 18. And good nutrition is an essential element to ensuring that they can reach their full potential.

As parents, we need to be aware of the role we play in passing on the right behaviour, which is developed in early childhood, such as a healthy diet and an active lifestyle. This early learnt behaviour strongly influences the way you live your life.

Nutrition and Healthy Life Style in Indonesia and Denmark

As parents we want to give our children the best possible start in life, and here nutrition and exercise play decisive roles.

Looking at today’s statistics on lifestyle related illnesses, it is difficult not to be concerned about the wellbeing of future generations.

Whether living in Denmark or Indonesia – the young generation is spending much more time watching television, playing with tablets, eating sweets, drinking sugary drinks – being inactive.

I understand that the Indonesian population is experiencing a threefold nutritional challenge, namely: malnutrition, anaemia and obesity.

And in Denmark we also have our challenges; for the past 30 years, the number of overweight children has grown by 3 times.

Basically, too many calories and too little exercise are the main reasons.

Therefore, Denmark is focusing more on the importance of physical activity and a healthy diet in early childhood.

Awareness campaigns and guidelines are central components in promoting a healthy childhood – targeting both parents and children alike.

But awareness campaigns cannot stand alone.

Strong food policies for children’s physical and intellectual growth are also needed.  Availability of nutritious foods at affordable prices for poor households is also a critical factor.

And we as parents are hugely responsible for making the right choices: Preparing healthy meals and making sure that our children engage in sport and develop healthy habits that will keep them healthy and happy throughout their life.

I am now looking forward to the panel-discussion and to hearing insights from participants in the panel who can give their views on children, health and nutrition in Indonesia and Denmark.

Thank you.