UIN Jakarta Professor: Free Nutritious Meal Program Can Be the Foundation of National Health

Auditorium Harun Nasution, UIN News Online – The government’s Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG), which targets school-aged children, has the potential to serve as a foundational pillar of national health. The program not only boosts nutritional and energy intake but also supports cognitive performance, physical growth, and stunting prevention.

This was conveyed by Prof. Endah Wulandari, S.Si., M.Biomed., during her inauguration as Professor of Biomedical Biochemistry in the Open Senate Session at UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta on Wednesday (May 7, 2025). In her scientific oration titled “The Role of Molecules, Metabolism, and Energy in Achieving Optimal Public Health: Transforming the Free Nutritious Meal Program as a Foundation for Golden Indonesia 2045”, Prof. Endah outlined the biochemical basis of health policy.

She began her speech by emphasizing the importance of understanding molecules, metabolism, and energy as the foundation of sustainable national health. According to her, knowledge of the body’s molecular composition and its metabolic pathways is essential in determining one’s overall health quality.

“Every individual should understand the molecules that make up their body, the metabolic reactions taking place, and the benefits of the resulting energy, because all these are closely linked to health, growth, daily activities, and potential diseases,” said Prof. Endah.

She explained that body cells consist of molecules such as carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, which interact through metabolic processes to produce ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)—the main energy source required for vital functions including movement, cell synthesis, molecular transport, and intercellular communication.

Prof. Endah further emphasized that ATP plays a key role in maintaining the body’s optimal temperature of 30°C. “At this temperature, the body can regulate molecular activity and cellular function normally. Any deviation could signal a disorder or pathological condition,” she added.

On this basis, she praised the government's MBG initiative. In her view, the program is not just about improving nutrition and energy levels but also about enabling better cognitive development, physical growth, and reducing stunting rates among children.

“This program lays a crucial foundation for nurturing a superior and physically and mentally healthy generation, supporting the vision of Golden Indonesia 2045 through improved nutrition and optimized child development,” she asserted.

Through her oration, Prof. Endah reaffirmed that national nutrition transformation must be grounded in fundamental biomedical science, which is essential to building a strong, healthy, and competitive Indonesia in the coming decades.

Prof. Endah, a lecturer at UIN Jakarta’s Faculty of Medicine, earned her Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences with a concentration in Biochemistry from the University of Indonesia’s Faculty of Medicine. Her scientific work focuses on molecular interactions in the human body and their impact on health.

Her research spans topics such as metabolism of Hajj pilgrims in extreme conditions, the use of menstrual blood for protein transporter detection, and the study of cupping therapy and plant extracts in supporting lipid metabolism.

Watch the full Inauguration of Six UIN Jakarta Professors held on Wednesday (May 7, 2025) via the following link.
(Sabila Weliza / Fauziah M. / Syarifah Nur K. / Photo: M. Yahya)