Nutritionists' Views on Gene-Based Nutrition Services in Indonesia

Pandangan Ahli Gizi Tentang Pelayanan Gizi Berbasis Gen di Indonesia

views nutritionists Gene-based nutrition services Nutrigenetic

Authors

  • Sintia Aurilia Putri Nutrition Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Alma Ata University, Bantul, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Indonesia
  • Arif Sabta Aji
    sabtaaji@almaata.ac.id
    Public Health Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Alma Ata University, Bantul, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6952-0010
  • Edi Sampurno Public Health Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Alma Ata University, Bantul, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Indonesia
  • Veriani Aprilia Nutrition Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Alma Ata University, Bantul, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Indonesia
  • Ifana Fitria Zulfa Nutrition Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Alma Ata University, Bantul, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Indonesia
  • Rina Alfiana Nutrition Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Alma Ata University, Bantul, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Indonesia
  • Rafiqah Dwita Hafizhah Nutrition Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Alma Ata University, Bantul, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Indonesia
  • Alfina Ulfah Farhan Public Health Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Alma Ata University, Bantul, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Indonesia
  • Shelini Surendran Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK, United Kingdom
31 December 2023
Photo by No Revisions on Unsplash

Background: Cardiometabolic diseases are principal contributors to mortality, morbidity, and healthcare costs. Additionally, many Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) have been associated with cardiovascular health outcomes. Nutrition professionals' perspectives on genetic-based nutritional services play a pivotal role in treating and preventing non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Objectives: This study aims to explore Indonesian nutritionists' viewpoints on gene-based nutrition services.

Methods: Employing a qualitative phenomenological approach, six Indonesian nutritionists from key provinces (DKI Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, East Java, and DI Yogyakarta) participated in in-depth interviews. Themes encompassed nutritionists' views on gene-based nutrition's role in NCD prevention, genetics science, and genetic testing understanding. Thematic analysis was performed using Nvivo v.12.

Results: Results showed that nutritionists had a substantial understanding of genetics and gene-based nutrition services, despite concerns about test costs. They comprehended gene-based nutrition's role in NCD prevention and acknowledged its significance in preventing NCDs.

Conclusions: Within this study, Nutritionists express the importance of gene-based nutrition services in NCD prevention. To enhance engagement, nutritionists are encouraged to communicate genetic testing's value to the community. This dissemination will help advance  NCD prevention efforts.