Obesity is a Disease, Not Just About Body Shape, Says Indonesian Obesity Expert

The chairman of the Indonesian Obesity Study Association (Hisobi), Prof. Dante Saksono Harbuwono, has emphasised that obesity is not merely a matter of body shape but a disease that can increase the risk of various health disorders. Speaking at a media gathering for the Pharmindo Lestari Awards (APL) in Jakarta on Saturday, Prof. Dante stated, ‘Obesity is no longer just about body shape that makes us embarrassed, it is not that. Obesity is a disease because with it we can suffer from heart disease and even the risk of cancer.’ He explained that based on the Human Genome Project, which evaluated genes in the global population, the obesity gene has been patterned in a specific way, making some individuals more prone to weight gain. Prof. Dante stressed that this condition requires a special approach, such as dietary improvements, which alone can potentially reduce body weight by about 5 per cent. When combined with exercise and a healthy lifestyle, the reduction can reach 5 to 10 per cent. Meanwhile, surgical intervention to shorten the intestine, which reduces food absorption, can lead to a 25 to 30 per cent weight loss. He noted that prescription medications like tirzepatide have a dual effect on incretin hormones produced by intestinal cells—GIP from K cells and GLP-1 from L cells—raising them to supra-physiological levels to improve weight loss, lipid profiles, and blood sugar. ‘That is why obesity is a disease that must be managed properly,’ Prof. Dante added.