Do not underestimate eggs. Eggs are very important for school-children. Two eggs everyday are adequate to help develop the IQ. Eggs can also cure iodine deficiency suffered by students in mountaineous areas.
That statement was delivered by nutritionist of UGM Faculty of Medicine, Toto Sudargo, S.K.M., M.Kes., explaining his research to the press, Monday (5/10) at the Faculty of Medicine. According to this lecturer of Health and Nutrition Department, his research conducted for primary school students in Wonosobo and Wonogiri, Central Java, showed that iodine deficiency can decrease IQ level by 10-15%. “When they were given the eggs treatment, their IQ level increased by 20%,†Sudargo said.
He explained that the average of students in Indonesia who suffer from nutrient deficiency, especially iodine deficiency, is between 35-65%. In Wonosobo and Wonogiri, according to Sudargo, about 19-33% students suffer from iodine deficiency. Consuming eggs is very important because a 60 gr egg contains 7-8 gr protein. Students need 45 gr protein. “It is important to consume eggs, moreover fried eggs, because the additional 10 gr protein will add by 110 kcal,†he explained.
Meanwhile, another research conducted by the Head of Health and Nutrition Department, dr. Emy Huriyati, M.Kes, showed that at least 10% of Junior High School students in Yogyakarta suffer from obesity. “The research showed that about 55% of 77 students suffer from metabolism syndrome, which is the initial symptom of degenerative disease,†she said.
Another researcher, Martalena Purba, M.C.N., Ph.D., the Head of the Indonesian Dieticians Association (AsDI), said that two nutrient problems, too much nutrient and nutrient deficiency, have caused the lower quality of Indonesian people, especially among toddlers, pregnant women, senior people and students. “The low level class is more affected,†she emphasized.
Her research showed that nutrient deficiency often happens in particular times, for instance after the increase in fuel price and global climate change that caused a change in harvesting cycle. Besides, the frequent disasters have caused increasing nutrient deficiency among vulnerable groups.