Obesity Becomes The District Government's Attention, 1,440 Toddlers In Bekasi Are Overweighted

Illustration. (Photo via Antara)

BEKASI - Excess weight or obesity is a nutritional problem for children under five years old (toddlers) who are now the attention of the Bekasi Regency Government (Pemkab).

Based on data from the Bekasi District Health Office, there are 1,440 children under five who are obese.

"Obesity is one of the nutritional problems for toddlers who are the attention of the Bekasi Regency Government in addition to stunting and malnutrition," said Secretary of the Bekasi District Health Office, Supriadinata, in Cikarang, Saturday, July 1.

He said the trigger for obesity in toddlers was caused by several factors ranging from eating patterns that were not in accordance with health recommendations, namely unhealthy, excessive portion, to genetic factors.

The active role of parents is needed to prevent obesity considering that the trigger for this nutritional problem originated from consuming unhealthy, excessive foods, and consuming high calorie foods and drinks but low nutrition without being followed by sufficient physical activity.

"Then the problems in urban areas such as in Bekasi Regency are many parents who work. Father and mother go in the morning and go home at night, while the baby is cared for by others. It could be that the baby's silence is given food and sweet drinks continuously, triggering obesity," he said.

Supriadinata stated that obesity in toddlers can also be caused by internal factors, namely hereditary or genetic disorders even though the tendency of this factor is relatively smaller than the influence of the outside environment, namely unhealthy and excessive diet.

"Referring to the classic HL Bloom theory, the disease caused by genetic factors tends to be less than 10 percent," he said.

His party urges the public to take efforts to prevent obesity. In addition to implementing a healthy and balanced diet, weight and length or height of toddlers must also be monitored regularly at Posyandu.

"Parents must bring their babies to the posyandu, which are weighed regularly every month when there is an unnatural increase, they can be directly consulted with the doctor at the nearest Puskesmas around Posyandu. The government also routinely carries out the Toddler Weighing Month from February-August as well as giving Vitamin A," he said.

Head of the Public Health Division at the Bekasi District Health Office, Masrikoh, said that out of a total of 1,440 obese toddlers, 275 of them were even under the age of two (0-23 months).

Of the 23 sub-districts throughout Bekasi Regency, only two sub-districts are currently free from the problem of obesity in toddlers, namely Pebayuran and Cabangbungin sub-districts.

Meanwhile, the two highest areas with obesity in toddlers are based on the coverage of each puskesmas, namely the Wanasari Village area in Cibitung District with 195 cases and Waluya Village, North Cikarang District with 106 cases.

His party provides continuous counseling to the community regarding the application of a healthy lifestyle by providing nutritious food intake to support the growth and development of toddlers so that they grow healthy according to age and weight.

Masrikoh also gave special tips to mothers to apply early breastfeeding initiatives, provide exclusive breastfeeding until the age of six months and continue breastfeeding until the age of two years.

"We also continue to provide food for infants and children according to the age group as well as tummy time for babies who have not been able to crawl as a physical activity effort. These efforts are to prevent infants and toddlers from getting obese," he said.