Ministry Reveals 50% of Indonesian Women Struggle with Abdominal Obesity
Jakarta, Indonesianpost.com – Reported by Antara, The Indonesian Health Ministry has revealed alarming rates of central obesity, with 50% of women and 25% of men in the country affected—a condition that significantly raises the risk of severe illnesses such as heart disease and stroke.
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin shared the findings on Friday, noting that over 8.2 million Indonesians have participated in the government’s Free Health Check-up (CKG) program since its launch in February 2025. Women accounted for 62.2% of participants, while men made up 37.7%.The screenings uncovered critical health trends, with dental issues being the most prevalent. However, the minister emphasized that hypertension, diabetes, and obesity remain the top risk factors for heart disease and stroke—the leading causes of death in Indonesia.
As of June 12, 2025, the ministry’s data shows:
– 1 in 5 participants have hypertension.
– 5.9% suffer from diabetes.
– 1 in 2 face dental and oral health problems.Central obesity, defined as a waist circumference exceeding 90 cm for men and 80 cm for women, is closely linked to non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Sadikin warned that NCDs, once primarily affecting older adults, are now increasingly found in younger populations.
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“The data shows that 1 in 3 people over 40 have hypertension, and 1 in 10 live with diabetes,” he said.The minister urged the public not to wait for symptoms to appear but to take advantage of early screenings. The CKG program, a key initiative under President Prabowo Subianto’s “Quick Win” agenda, focuses on early detection and preventive health education.
“Early detection allows for timely intervention—whether through lifestyle changes or medical treatment. Staying healthy ensures productivity and supports Indonesia’s goal of becoming a developed nation by 2045,” Sadikin added.
The program has been rolled out in nearly 10,000 community health centers (puskesmas) across all 38 provinces, making preventive healthcare more accessible nationwide. (BL)