JAKARTA - Obesity is still often seen as a matter of appearance or numbers on the scales. In fact, this condition is a chronic metabolic disease that affects various aspects of women's health.
Starting from hormonal balance and reproductive health to increasing the risk of chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
The Indonesian Health Survey (SKI) 2023 shows that around 47.2 million adult residents in Indonesia are obese. The prevalence is also higher in women than men, namely 36.4 percent compared to 24.4 percent. The data shows that obesity is no longer just an individual problem, but a public health challenge that requires more serious attention and handling.
Obstetrician and Gynecologist Specialist Dr. Cynthia Agnes Susanto, BMedSc, Sp.OG explained that obesity in women is closely related to various biological changes that occur throughout life, including those that affect reproductive function.
"Obesity can affect various aspects of health and reduce quality of life. Even in women, obesity not only increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, but also risks affecting reproductive health," explained Dr. Cynthia, when met in Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta on Thursday, July 30, 2026.
"Starting from menstrual and ovulation cycle disorders, increased risk of infertility to complications in pregnancy. Therefore, obesity needs to be seen as a chronic disease that requires comprehensive treatment according to the doctor's evaluation," he added.
According to him, one condition that is closely related to obesity is Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS), which was previously known as PCOS. This change in terminology reflects the understanding that the condition is not only a disorder of the ovaries, but also involves the body's hormonal and metabolic systems.
Around 35-50 percent of women with PMOS are also obese. The two conditions are interrelated. Obesity can worsen metabolic and reproductive disorders, while hormonal changes in PMOS make weight management more difficult.
Not only that, obesity before pregnancy also increases the risk of various complications, such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, to fetal growth disorders. Therefore, maintaining metabolic health since before planning a pregnancy is an important step to help reduce various risks.
In the management of obesity, the success of therapy is not only measured by the reduction in numbers on the scales. Changes in body composition and improved metabolic health are also important indicators. Dr. Cynthia emphasizes that a person does not need to be too fixated on weight alone.
"Don't just look at weight. The more important thing is body fat loss, especially visceral fat, as well as changes in body composition. The size of the waist circumference or clothes that start to loosen can also be a sign of good weight management. Weight itself consists of fat mass and muscle mass, so the numbers do not always reflect the overall health condition," he explained.
In women with PMOS, the success of therapy is also seen from the improvement of the menstrual cycle which was previously irregular to become more regular along with the improvement of metabolic conditions.
As science progresses, obesity treatment is now carried out with a more comprehensive approach and is tailored to the condition of each individual. Treatment can include changes in diet, increased physical activity, psychological support, pharmacological therapy according to medical indications, to bariatric surgery in certain patients.
One of the innovations in obesity therapy is GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA). This therapy works on biological mechanisms that regulate hunger and fullness so that it can help manage weight when used according to medical indications and under the supervision of a doctor.
In addition to helping lose weight, this therapy also supports quality weight loss, which is the reduction of fat mass while maintaining muscle mass. Thus, the benefits of therapy are not only seen from the numbers on the scales, but also from the improvement of overall metabolic health.
Associate Director Medical and Regulatory Novo Nordisk Indonesia, dr. Riyanny Meisha Tarliman emphasized that the main goal of treating obesity is not just to pursue weight loss.
"What we want to achieve is not just weight loss, but improvement in quality of life. Because obesity is excess fat mass, the target is to reduce body fat while maintaining muscle mass. That is why BMI is not the only indicator. Abdominal circumference, body composition, to improving health conditions are also part of the evaluation of the success of therapy," said dr. Riyanny.
He explained that GLP-1 RA therapy is not given to everyone, but based on medical indications prescribed by a doctor.
"GLP-1 RA therapy can be considered in patients with a BMI of 30 kg/m² or more, or a BMI of at least 27 kg/m² accompanied by comorbidities. Therefore, obesity treatment should be personalized according to the needs and conditions of each patient," he said.
Until now, there are still many assumptions that obesity is solely caused by excessive eating patterns or lack of exercise. In fact, this condition is influenced by various interrelated factors, ranging from biological, hormonal, environmental, to psychological factors.
According to dr. Riyanny, education is the key to changing people's views on obesity.
"Obesity is not just a matter of appearance, but a health condition that can affect the quality of life of women in various stages of life. Therefore, women need to have the right information so that they can recognize the risks, seek medical help when needed, and get the right treatment with health workers," he said.
He added that education needs to be carried out continuously through collaboration between health workers, media, government, and various organizations so that the public can better understand the importance of prevention and management of obesity from an early age.
With a better understanding that obesity is a chronic disease, it is hoped that more women will not hesitate to seek medical help early. Proper treatment early on can help reduce the risk of complications later on while maintaining quality of life at every stage of life.
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