Poorwo Soedarmo
Encyclopedia
Dr Poorwo Soedarmo was a nutritionist
. He is regarded as the "Father of Nutrition" ("Bapak gizi") in Indonesia.
, West Jakarta
, during the Japan
ese occupation
in Indonesia
and was head of its medical services until 1948. He was then expelled during the time of emerging Indonesian independence and went as a ship's doctor on the "Polodarus" (a Blue Funnel-line ship) to the Netherlands
for six months and then to London
in 1949. This was the turning point in his career orientation towards nutrition.
At the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, he undertook studies in malaria
and the role of DDT
in its control with Prof McDonald, but also developed an interest in nutrition with Professor Platt. He became aware of diseases as nutritional, such as the dermatological
manifestations of kwashiorkor
, which previously had not been appreciated in Indonesia.
On his return to Indonesia he set up a dietetic school with the help of Dutch dietitians who stayed on under contract in Indonesia after independence. "Akademi Gizi" was founded in 1952 and the dietetic school commenced operation in 1950.
Nutritionist
A nutritionist is a person who advises on matters of food and nutrition impacts on health. Different professional terms are used in different countries, employment settings and contexts — some examples include: nutrition scientist, public health nutritionist, dietitian-nutritionist, clinical...
. He is regarded as the "Father of Nutrition" ("Bapak gizi") in Indonesia.
Career
Poorwo Soedarmo lived in BantenBanten
Banten is a province of Indonesia in Java. Formerly part of the Province of West Java, it was made a separate province in 2000.The administrative center is Serang. Preliminary results from the 2010 census counted some 10.6 million people.-Geography:...
, West Jakarta
Jakarta
Jakarta is the capital and largest city of Indonesia. Officially known as the Special Capital Territory of Jakarta, it is located on the northwest coast of Java, has an area of , and a population of 9,580,000. Jakarta is the country's economic, cultural and political centre...
, during the Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese occupation
Japanese Occupation of Indonesia
The Japanese Empire occupied Indonesia, known then as the Dutch East Indies, during World War II from March 1942 until after the end of War in 1945...
in Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
and was head of its medical services until 1948. He was then expelled during the time of emerging Indonesian independence and went as a ship's doctor on the "Polodarus" (a Blue Funnel-line ship) to the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
for six months and then to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in 1949. This was the turning point in his career orientation towards nutrition.
At the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, he undertook studies in malaria
Malaria
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease of humans and other animals caused by eukaryotic protists of the genus Plasmodium. The disease results from the multiplication of Plasmodium parasites within red blood cells, causing symptoms that typically include fever and headache, in severe cases...
and the role of DDT
DDT
DDT is one of the most well-known synthetic insecticides. It is a chemical with a long, unique, and controversial history....
in its control with Prof McDonald, but also developed an interest in nutrition with Professor Platt. He became aware of diseases as nutritional, such as the dermatological
Dermatology
Dermatology is the branch of medicine dealing with the skin and its diseases, a unique specialty with both medical and surgical aspects. A dermatologist takes care of diseases, in the widest sense, and some cosmetic problems of the skin, scalp, hair, and nails....
manifestations of kwashiorkor
Kwashiorkor
Kwashiorkor is an acute form of childhood protein-energy malnutrition characterized by edema, irritability, anorexia, ulcerating dermatoses, and an enlarged liver with fatty infiltrates. The presence of edema caused by poor nutrition defines kwashiorkor...
, which previously had not been appreciated in Indonesia.
On his return to Indonesia he set up a dietetic school with the help of Dutch dietitians who stayed on under contract in Indonesia after independence. "Akademi Gizi" was founded in 1952 and the dietetic school commenced operation in 1950.