Indonesia's Obesity Prevalence Rises, Food Label Literacy Becomes Key
The prevalence of obesity among adults aged 18 and above in Indonesia continues to show an upward trend. The latest data records obesity rates rising from 21.8% in 2018 to 23.4% in 2023.
Dr Siti Nadia Tarmizi, M.Epid., Director of Non-Communicable Disease Prevention and Control at the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes), emphasised that this trend indicates obesity as a chronic disease requiring serious handling.
“Obesity is not merely an issue of appearance or lifestyle. It is a chronic disease with significant health risks,” said Nadia, quoted on Thursday (26/3).
Nadia explained that obesity is triggered by long-term excessive calorie consumption, both from processed foods and ready-to-eat meals.
Given that processed foods are difficult to avoid in modern lifestyles, Kemenkes, together with BPOM and Nutrifood, has consistently campaigned to limit consumption of Sugar, Salt, and Fat (GGL) since 2013.
One of the main focuses of this campaign is to enhance public literacy in reading product packaging labels.
“The most important thing is to recognise nutritional value and composition information on the packaging, so that the processed foods consumed can actually help reduce obesity risks,” added Nadia.
She also advised the public to use the Ramadan momentum to gradually reduce GGL intake.
In agreement, Dr Puspo Edi Giriwono, STP., M.Agr., Director of the Southeast Asian Food and Agricultural Science and Technology (SEAFAST) Center at IPB University, explained that processed foods are actually produced based on science to ensure safety, quality, and shelf life.
According to Puspo, the main challenge currently is not the existence of processed foods, but public understanding of those products.
“Food additives listed on the packaging have undergone safety studies and have safe consumption limits, so they are safe to use according to regulations,” clarified Puspo.
Public education is key to enabling society to make wiser product choices and maintain balanced eating patterns to suppress obesity risks in Indonesia.