The perception of obesity needs to be redefined immediately by the public. Overweight conditions are no longer seen as merely a matter of appearance or aesthetics, but as a chronic disease that serves as a major risk factor for various deadly complications, particularly type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Deputy Minister of Health of the Republic of Indonesia, Prof. Dante Saksono Harbuwono, emphasized that obesity demands serious medical treatment. Based on findings from the Free Health Check Program, obesity consistently ranks in the top five most pressing health problems in Indonesia. Effective weight control is believed to significantly reduce the prevalence of hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes.
Results of domestic genetic research indicate that the majority of the Indonesian population has a genetic predisposition to diabetes. However, the expression of these genes is highly determined by lifestyle. The risk of this disease even surges sharply for individuals with a family history of diabetes, especially if both parents suffer from the condition.
Data from the DKI Jakarta region shows a concerning situation, with diabetes prevalence reaching 12.8 percent. Another shocking fact is that of this number, only 3 percent have been medically diagnosed, while nearly 10 percent of the population only became aware of their illness after participating in a health survey.
Facing this challenge, the government has begun to look at medical innovations as an intermediate solution, given the low success rate of self-dieting and the limited access to bariatric surgery procedures. The introduction of new drugs such as tirzepatide is expected to help patients manage hunger hormonally, while also improving blood pressure and cholesterol profiles.
Although medical technology innovations offer new hope, experts from PERKENI and HISOBI still emphasize that behavioral change remains the primary foundation. Regular exercise and a balanced diet must still be implemented as the frontline in maintaining optimal body metabolism and avoiding the risk of long-term complications.
