Indonesia is experiencing a major shift in how people’s bodies are changing. Between 2007 and 2023, fewer Indonesians are underweight, but nearly twice as many are now obese. This study tracked 2.4 million Indonesian adults over 16 years to understand this dramatic change. Researchers found that wealthier people are gaining weight faster, especially women in cities. The concerning part? This obesity trend is starting to spread to poorer communities too. Without action, Indonesia could face serious health problems as obesity becomes more common across all income levels.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How the number of underweight and overweight Indonesians has changed from 2007 to 2023, and whether these changes affected different groups of people differently.
  • Who participated: Over 2.4 million Indonesian adults aged 20 and older, measured across four national health surveys spread over 16 years. The group included people from all income levels, both men and women, living in cities and rural areas.
  • Key finding: Obesity rates nearly doubled from about 20% to 38% of adults, while underweight rates dropped from 12% to 7.5%. The biggest weight gain happened among wealthy urban women, whose obesity rate jumped from 30% to 50%.
  • What it means for you: Indonesia is becoming a heavier nation overall. If you live in Indonesia, especially in a city or higher-income area, your risk of weight-related health problems is increasing. This suggests that diet and lifestyle changes are happening faster than people can adapt to them.

The Research Details

Researchers used data from four national health surveys conducted in 2007, 2013, 2018, and 2023. Each survey measured the height and weight of a large, representative sample of Indonesian adults. By comparing the same measurements across these four time points, scientists could track how obesity and underweight rates changed over 16 years.

The researchers used a statistical method called weighted logistic regression to account for differences between groups. This means they could see how obesity and underweight rates changed while controlling for factors like age, gender, income, and where people lived. They also checked their results multiple ways to make sure the findings were reliable, even when some data was missing.

This approach is powerful because it uses real-world health survey data from millions of people rather than a small laboratory study. However, it only shows what happened—it doesn’t prove why these changes occurred.

This research approach is important because it captures what’s actually happening in Indonesia’s population over time. By using national surveys, the findings represent real Indonesians, not just people in hospitals or clinics. The 16-year timespan is long enough to see meaningful trends, and measuring the same way each time ensures the changes are real and not due to different measurement methods.

This study is reliable because it used data from official national health surveys with very large sample sizes (2.4 million people). The measurements were standardized, meaning they used the same methods each time. The researchers also adjusted their analysis for many different factors that could affect weight. However, the study only shows patterns over time—it doesn’t prove that one thing caused another. Also, the data comes from surveys where people self-reported some information, which can sometimes be inaccurate.

What the Results Show

Between 2007 and 2023, Indonesia experienced a dramatic shift in body weight patterns. The percentage of underweight adults dropped from 12.3% to 7.5%—a significant improvement. However, obesity rates nearly doubled from 19.7% to 38.3%. This means that while fewer people are dangerously thin, many more are now overweight.

The changes weren’t equal across all groups. Urban women saw the biggest jump in obesity, rising from 30% to almost 50%. Wealthy Indonesians were hit hardest, with obesity rates jumping from 26% to 48% in the highest income group. Men gained weight too, but not as much as women—men’s obesity rates went from about 10% to 28%.

Another concerning finding was the increase in central obesity, which means fat stored around the belly. By 2023, 42% of Indonesian adults had too much belly fat, which is particularly risky for heart disease and diabetes. The pattern was different by age: young adults and elderly people were most likely to be underweight, while middle-aged people were most likely to be obese.

The research revealed important differences between rich and poor Indonesians. Wealthy people were more than twice as likely to be obese compared to the poorest people. Interestingly, this pattern is starting to reverse in other countries—obesity is becoming more common among poorer people. The study suggests Indonesia might be heading in that direction too. Men were significantly less likely to be obese than women but more likely to be underweight. Geographic differences also mattered: urban areas showed higher obesity rates than rural areas, particularly among women.

This study extends previous research that only looked at trends up to 2007. The new findings show that obesity is increasing much faster than earlier studies predicted. The pattern Indonesia is experiencing—where wealthier people gain weight first, then it spreads to poorer populations—matches what happened in other developing countries like Mexico and Brazil. However, Indonesia’s obesity increase is happening faster than in many other countries, suggesting rapid lifestyle and diet changes.

This study has several important limitations. First, it only shows what happened, not why. We can’t tell from this data whether obesity increased because people eat more, exercise less, or both. Second, the data comes from surveys where people reported their own height and weight, which can be inaccurate. Third, the study couldn’t track the same individual people over time—it compared different groups of people in each survey year. Finally, the research doesn’t explain why women gained more weight than men or why urban areas were affected more than rural areas.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, Indonesia should prioritize obesity prevention, especially in urban areas and among women. Public health efforts should focus on making healthy food more affordable and accessible, particularly for lower-income groups where obesity is starting to increase. Encouraging physical activity and reducing sugary drinks are evidence-based strategies. These recommendations have moderate to high confidence because they’re based on large population data, though this specific study doesn’t test whether these interventions work.

Every Indonesian should care about these findings, but especially: urban residents, women, middle-aged adults, and people with higher incomes (who are currently most affected). Lower-income Indonesians should also pay attention because obesity is starting to increase in their communities. Healthcare providers should screen for obesity and related diseases more aggressively. Government policymakers should use this data to create nutrition and health policies. People should NOT use this to blame individuals for weight gain—these are population-level trends driven by larger social and economic changes.

Obesity didn’t develop overnight, and reversing it won’t happen quickly either. The trends in this study unfolded over 16 years. If someone makes healthy changes today, they might see small improvements in weight and health markers within 3-6 months, but significant population-level changes would take years of sustained effort.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track waist circumference monthly (measure at belly button level) and weight weekly. For women, a waist circumference above 80 cm indicates increased health risk; for men, above 90 cm. This is more informative than weight alone because belly fat is particularly harmful.
  • Set a specific, measurable goal like ‘drink one less sugary beverage per day’ or ‘walk 30 minutes, 5 days per week.’ Use the app to log these behaviors daily and see your progress over weeks and months. Start with one small change rather than trying to change everything at once.
  • Check weight and waist circumference monthly rather than daily (daily fluctuations are normal). Track diet quality by logging meals for one week each month. Monitor energy levels and how clothes fit as additional indicators of progress. Set a 3-month check-in to assess whether your changes are working and adjust your approach if needed.

This research describes trends in Indonesian population weight patterns but does not diagnose or treat individual health conditions. If you’re concerned about your weight or health, consult with a healthcare provider who can assess your individual situation. This study shows what happened in Indonesia’s population—your personal health needs may be different. The findings suggest obesity is increasing, but this doesn’t mean everyone needs to lose weight or that weight is the only measure of health. Always discuss diet and exercise changes with a doctor, especially if you have existing health conditions or take medications.