PNPK Admits Lack Of Understanding Obesity Is A Challenge In Implementation

Scale illustration (Unsplash)

JAKARTA - Clinical nutrition specialist at the Indonesian Navy Hospital Dr. Mintohardjo dr. Maya Surjadjaja said the lack of public understanding of the meaning of obesity is a challenge in the implementation of National Health Service Guidelines (PNPK) for obesity.

"We ourselves may not be sure that we are obese. We don't understand ourselves, actually what kind of obesity (weight) is, really?" Maya said as quoted by ANTARA.

The Indonesian Clinical Nutrition Doctors Association (PDGKI) issued PNPK for obesity ratified by the Minister of Health on May 30, 2025.

Maya said Asians have different body characteristics so people living in Indonesia must know the body mass index (IMT) which is in accordance with ideal criteria.

Fats in the lower abdomen are bad fats that are characteristic of obesity, said Maya. According to the Indonesian Health Survey (SKI) in 2023, the prevalence of central obesity (belly circle exceeds the normal limit) nationally 36.8 percent in people aged 15 years and over.

This can have an impact on the emergence of congenital diseases such as heart disease, high blood sugar or kidney.

In addition, the myth about fat children is funny and also a challenge for the medical profession to try to reduce the obesity rate in children and over 15 years old.

Maya said Indonesia could follow the example of a country that is disciplined towards health such as Japan or Singapore, which applies the principle that eating does not have to be full, but, when the portion is sufficient.

Maya also mentioned that there are still many drug trafficking that are claimed to lose weight, however, it is actually unclear what the content is, which is also a sign that people want to be slim instantly.

He hopes that the implementation of PNPK can be used as a reference and the meaning of obesity can be conveyed, and can be applied in various parts of Indonesia which have a high obesity rate.