2 - The Burden of Childhood and Adolescents Obesity in Indonesia: How can we help?

Childhood obesity is caused by a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors. It can lead to complications that not only occur in childhood but also in adulthood, such as damage to multiple organs and psychosocial issues. According to estimates, Indonesia must spend IDR 2.85 quadrillion as the incremental direct medical cost of childhood obesity. Among South East Asian nations, Indonesia has the highest prevalence of obesity in children under 5 years old. The latest data from Indonesia reveals that the prevalence of overweight among children under 5 years old increased from 4.2% to 9.4% between 1993 and 2007, but then remained relatively stable between 2007 and 2014. The prevalence of overweight among children aged 6-12 years and 13-18 years increased from 5.1% to 15.6% and from 7.1% to 14.1% between 1993 and 2014, respectively. It is crucial to prioritize treatment and prevention programs for childhood obesity in Indonesia. This paper will focus on the factors contributing to the rise of childhood and adolescent obesity in Indonesia, as well as propose strategies to reduce and prevent overweight and obesity in this population.

Co-Author 1
Hayuris Kinadita, Universitas Airlangga

Co-Author 2
Misbakhul Munir, Universitas Airlangga