🍽️ An economic crisis decades ago made adults shorter and overweight today

A team from the University of Bonn investigated the consequences of the Asian financial crisis of the 1990s in Indonesia. Their work, published in Global Food Security, indicates that the surge in rice prices, a local staple food, altered the growth of exposed children, with measurable repercussions decades later.

To demonstrate this link, the researchers analyzed data tracked over many years, comparing the regional evolution of rice prices between 1997 and 2000. Their observations established a correlation between these fluctuations and measurements taken during childhood and later in adulthood. Children affected by the crisis showed not only below-average height but also a higher probability of developing obesity subsequently.


This phenomenon originates from an adaptation of diets during crisis periods. Families then tend to favor foods high in calories but poor in essential nutrients, leading to micronutrient deficiencies. These deficits affect growth without necessarily reducing body weight, a situation that can lead to later health problems.

The effects appear particularly pronounced in urban areas, where households depend entirely on food purchases, unlike rural regions where part of the production can be self-consumed. Moreover, the parents' level of education influences the ability to cope, with children of less educated mothers being more likely to suffer negative consequences.

These findings call for a reevaluation of interventions during economic shocks. Guaranteeing a minimal calorie intake is not enough; it is also important to maintain the nutritional quality of foods, especially for young children whose development is ongoing.

In the current climate, marked by increasing crises linked to conflicts, pandemics, and extreme weather events, this work finds particular resonance. The Indonesian study provides clues for better understanding how economic disruptions transform into lasting health risks.