The fight against obesity is gaining urgency, particularly among women, with almost half facing issues of overweight or obesity, nearly double the rate observed in men. This public health concern takes center stage on World Obesity Day, marked on March 4, as health advocates strive to raise awareness and prompt action.
The concerning surge in obesity among Indonesian women has prompted health advocates and researchers to sound the alarm, given the associated increase in chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, renal failure, and diabetes. These health conditions not only present significant challenges for affected individuals but also strain the nation's healthcare systems.
While the exact reasons for the disproportionately high obesity rates among Indonesian women remain unclear, several contributing factors have been identified. Traditional gender roles play a role, with women often juggling multiple responsibilities, including cooking, childcare, and work. Increased socialization may contribute to elevated food consumption. Moreover, the easy accessibility and affordability of unhealthy foods, often cheaper than healthier alternatives, have fueled the obesity epidemic across the country.
Diah Saminarsih, CEO of the Center for Indonesia’s Strategic Development Initiatives, expressed concern about the escalating rates, stating, “We are seeing increasing rates of obesity in all age categories for males and females in Indonesia, which is very concerning, but the trend for adult women is especially troubling.” She emphasized the need for more research to fully understand the underlying reasons.
Across the nation, unhealthy foods have become more readily available, whether in fast-food restaurants or sugary drinks on store shelves. Saminarsih highlighted the shift in affordability, noting, “Unhealthy foods used to be unaffordable for many Indonesians because they were all imported. But now so many of them are produced locally so prices have come down, and now these fatty, sugary, high-calorie foods are cheaper than healthy foods.”
David Colozza, a nutrition specialist at UNICEF Indonesia, shed light on the impact of urbanization on physical activity, stating, “More people are working office jobs or manufacturing jobs instead of in the farm fields.” Colozza also emphasized the role of easily accessible ultra-processed foods high in sugar, fat, and salt in contributing to the obesity crisis.
Encouraging signs are emerging as more fitness centers open, and health education improves. Saminarsih noted, “More people seem to understand the benefits of exercise, and we’re seeing committed health advocates take their message to communities across Indonesia.”
To address the issue, health advocates are pushing for further steps, including regulations requiring more prominent labeling on packaging to clarify which foods are unhealthy. Colozza suggested a tax on sugary drinks, stating, “This could reduce the incentive for consumers to buy these products and also encourage the food and beverage companies to reformulate these products to reduce the amount of sugar.” The funds collected from the tax could ideally be used for health-related initiatives, such as obesity prevention.
At Slim Fit Studio, Yuliana shared her success story, having lost seven kilograms since November. Through exercising four times a week and adopting a healthier diet, Yuliana embodies the lifestyle changes that health advocates hope more overweight and obese Indonesians will embrace.
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