Obesity in Adolescents: Causes, Risks, and Prevention Methods
Obesity among adolescents is becoming a health issue that is gaining increasing attention in Indonesia. Changes in lifestyle, unbalanced dietary patterns, and high consumption of foods and beverages rich in sugar, salt, and fat (GGL) are factors driving the increase in overweight cases among the younger age group. This condition not only impacts current health but can also increase the risk of chronic diseases in the future.
The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia defines obesity as a condition of excessive fat accumulation that can impair health. In adolescents, obesity has the potential to increase the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart disease, and even psychological disorders such as decreased self-confidence. Therefore, prevention from an early age is a crucial step to reduce the potential long-term impacts.
One of the primary causes of adolescent obesity is the high consumption of sugar, salt, and fat. Currently, various types of fast food, high-calorie snacks, and sweetened beverages are easily found and have become part of daily consumption patterns. If the energy intake into the body is greater than the energy expended through physical activity, the excess energy will be stored as fat, potentially leading to obesity.
The Ministry of Health recommends a maximum daily sugar limit of 50 grams (approximately four tablespoons), a salt limit of five grams (equivalent to one teaspoon), and a fat limit of 67 grams (approximately five tablespoons of oil). However, various studies show that many adolescents still consume sugar, salt, and fat beyond the recommended limits, particularly through packaged sweetened drinks and processed foods.
Data from the 2018 Basic Health Research (Riskesdas) shows that the prevalence of overweight and obesity among adolescents aged 13-15 reached 21.8 percent. This figure indicates that the obesity problem can no longer be considered an individual case, but has become a public health challenge requiring the attention of various parties, including families, schools, and the government.
Health experts emphasise that obesity prevention can be achieved through the implementation of a balanced nutritious diet, limiting the consumption of high-sugar, salt, and fat foods, increasing fruit and vegetable intake, and engaging in regular physical activity. With increasing public awareness regarding the importance of a healthy lifestyle, it is hoped that adolescent obesity rates can be suppressed so that Indonesia’s younger generation can grow up healthier, more active, and more productive.