Jakarta, ThedailyID — Obesity has become a serious health threat in Indonesia, especially among people in their productive years. Data from the 2023 Indonesian Health Survey shows that 14.4 percent of adults are people in larger bodies, while 23.4 percent live with obesity. The figures indicate that nearly one in four Indonesian adults now faces obesity-related health risks.
Luciana B. Sutanto, a clinical nutrition specialist at Primaya Hospital Kelapa Gading, said modern lifestyles strongly contribute to the growing prevalence of obesity among productive-age adults. Many people now have greater access to food and higher income, but their physical activity levels continue to decline.
She explained that sedentary work patterns, limited exercise, and excessive calorie intake increase the risk of obesity. According to her, obesity should not be assessed only through body weight or appearance. Body composition and fat distribution—especially abdominal fat—play a key role in determining metabolic risk.
Obesity often acts as the gateway to metabolic syndrome. The condition includes high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, abnormal cholesterol levels, and excess abdominal fat. These combined factors significantly increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
Luciana added that obesity can reduce daily energy levels and cause fatigue, difficulty concentrating, joint pain, and psychological stress. Over time, the condition may lower overall quality of life and raise the risk of severe chronic illnesses.
High-calorie diets, excessive sugar, salt, and fat intake, and low physical activity remain the main drivers. Work-related stress, irregular eating schedules, and poor sleep patterns can also disrupt the body’s metabolism.
Many people only recognize metabolic problems after symptoms appear. Luciana therefore encourages regular health screenings starting in early adulthood. She recommends metabolic screening from the early 20s and more frequent monitoring after age 40 to detect risks before symptoms emerge.
She also emphasized that obesity management should follow individualized medical nutrition approaches. Sustainable weight loss requires professional guidance to avoid nutrient deficiencies and metabolic disruption caused by extreme dieting.
Luciana advised adults in their productive years to maintain a healthy weight, understand their nutritional needs, and build consistent healthy habits early. Small lifestyle changes that people maintain over time can protect long-term metabolic health more effectively than short-term diet trends.
