Obesity In Indonesia Continues To Increase, Women And Children Most Vulnerable

The prevalence of obesity in Indonesia has shown a significant increasing trend in recent years. Data from the Ministry of Health through the 2023 Indonesian Health Survey (SKI) noted that 23.4% of Indonesia's adult population (aged >18 years) were obese, an increase from 21.8% in 2018. 

This increase not only occurred in adults, but also in children. SKI 2023 data shows that the prevalence of obesity in children aged 5–12 years reached 9.2%, while another 10.8% were overweight. This means that around 1 in 5 Indonesian children are overweight or obese. 

The main causes of this increase in obesity are lack of physical activity and unhealthy eating patterns. According to the Ministry of Health, 64% of children aged 10–14 years do not do enough physical activity, and 65% of children do not eat breakfast before school, which makes them more likely to consume unhealthy foods outside the home. 

In addition, there is a significant difference in the prevalence of obesity by gender. Data shows that in 2023, the prevalence of obesity in adult women will reach 31.2%, almost twice that of men at 15.7%. 

This condition is concerning because obesity is a major risk factor for various non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. The Ministry of Health emphasizes the importance of lifestyle changes, including increasing physical activity and implementing a healthy diet, to address this problem. 

The government through the Ministry of Health has launched various programs to address the problem of obesity, such as promoting a healthy lifestyle, balanced nutrition education, and the "Isi Piringku" campaign. However, the success of these programs is highly dependent on the active participation of the community in implementing a healthy lifestyle in everyday life. 

Tag: Children Obesity Women