Obesity Is Not a Weight Problem, but a Chronic Disease

The Chairman of the Indonesian Obesity Study Association (Hisobi), Professor Dante Saksono Harbuwono, has asserted that obesity must be viewed as a chronic disease, rather than merely a matter of appearance or body shape. This condition can increase the risk of various serious illnesses, ranging from heart disease to cancer.

“Obesity is no longer about weight affecting body shaping that makes us feel ashamed; it is not like that. Obesity is a disease because, with obesity, we can develop heart disease and even the risk of cancer,” said Professor Dante, as reported on Sunday (5/7).

According to Dante, genetic factors play a significant role in the development of obesity. He referred to the Human Genome Project, which shows that there are certain gene patterns that make some individuals more vulnerable to weight gain.

“So, there are people who hold the opinion, ‘Ah, I only drink water and I still get fat,’ or ‘Even though I watch my food, I still get fat.’ Well, those are people carrying obesity genes,” he said.

Despite the influence of genetic factors, Dante emphasised that obesity can still be managed through various therapeutic approaches. Improving dietary patterns, for instance, can help reduce weight by approximately five per cent. If accompanied by exercise and the adoption of a healthy lifestyle, weight loss can reach 5–10 per cent.

On the other hand, bariatric surgery, or procedures to reduce food absorption, is said to be capable of reducing weight by up to 25–30 per cent.

Between these two approaches, according to Dante, weight-loss medication therapy plays a role in filling the effectiveness gap. Certain medications work through mechanisms that affect gene expression, thereby helping to control weight in obese patients.

“If specific medication is used, the previously patterned genes will undergo a process known as epigenetic gene process; this is a learning process for the genes already patterned in a person’s body so that their characteristics change. With medication, weight can drop by up to 20 per cent,” he explained.

Losing weight is not merely about reducing the number on the scale. Doctors remind the importance of maintaining muscle mass to ensure metabolism remains optimal.

Nutrition specialist Dr Maryam, Sp.GK, warned of the importance of maintaining muscle mass during dieting for bodily metabolism and to avoid the ‘skinny fat’ condition.