Waist Size Could Signal Central Obesity Risk; Check Your Safe Waist Circumference Limit

Waist size can serve as a simple indicator of the rising risk of central obesity in Indonesia, underscoring a health threat that abdominal fat distribution poses greater health risks than weight alone. Siti Nadia Tarmizi, Director of Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases at the Ministry of Health, said central obesity can be identified from waist circumference, not just the scale. “If we are talking about central obesity, it is easiest to see from waist size. If the size keeps increasing, that is an alarm for us,” Nadia said at the Nutrifood Media Briefing on “Careful Food Processing Choices to Prevent Obesity” in Central Jakarta, on Tuesday 3 March. Based on the Indonesian Health Survey (SKI) 2023, the prevalence of central obesity rose significantly from 31 percent in 2018 to 36.8 percent in 2023. The indicator used includes data from the 2025 Free Health Check programme which shows 23.85 percent of adult participants identified as having central obesity based on waist circumference measurement, indicating that about one in four adults in Indonesia is at high risk. In the event marking World Obesity Day, Nadia noted that central obesity carries a high risk of non-communicable diseases. She warned that many people feel healthy because their weight appears normal, while fat distribution around the waist can dramatically increase health risks. “Sometimes people feel not fat, but their waist circumference is above the limit. That is what is often not realised,” she said. To prevent central obesity, the Ministry of Health advises the following: “Small changes such as reducing sugar, salt, and fat intake, and regular physical activity can help lower risk,” she said. She reminded that obesity does not occur overnight, but results from long-term dietary patterns and lifestyle. Therefore, early detection via waist size and behavioural changes are crucial to undertake now as well. Want to eliminate your beer belly? Try these 10 drinks believed to help reduce belly fat. Waist circumference should ideally not exceed 90 cm for men, and 80 cm for women. “In addition to BMI, we should also be aware of waist circumference; for women it should not exceed 80 cm, for men it should not exceed 90 cm.”