Obesity is often perceived as a problem of the '€œhaves'€ but in Indonesia it also effects the '€œhave nots'€.

Data from the 2010 Basic Health Research (Riskesdas) shows the percentage of obese people aged over 18 with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 27 stands at 21.7 percent.

The same data shows that obesity among children below 5-years-old increased to 14 percent from 11
percent in 2007.

The World Bank in its recent report, Adjusting to Pressures, said the rising number of people with obesity in Indonesia would prove costly as it would lead to an increase in the number of expensive non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes and cancer. This, the report said, would impede economic growth.

The report highlights the fact that non-communicable diseases account for the majority of disabilities and mortalities in Indonesia, with cardiovascular disease accounting for 30 percent of all non-communicable disease deaths, followed by cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and diabetes.

Sukirman, a nutrition professor at the Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB) school of human ecology, said there are a lot of factors causing the increase in obesity.

Despite the fact that high-calorie food is now affordable for more of the public, the government has not yet stipulated rules to manage the ingredients in processed food.

'€œThe government should determine the level of salt and fat in processed food as well as in restaurants,'€ Sukirman said, citing Singapore, which has applied such a regulation.

As previously reported, the Health Ministry rolled out a policy that would oblige fast-food restaurants and processed food manufacturers to detail the amount of sugar, salt and fat in their products.

'€œThe government should also prohibit fast food chains near schools,'€ Sukirman said. '€œApparently the government hasn'€™t thought about it.'€

Data from the Indonesian Family Life Surveys shows that the percentage of overweight men in Indonesia increased from 10 percent in 1997 to over 15 percent in 2007, while overweight women increase from 15 percent in 1997 to over 30 percent in 2007.

The World Bank report also showed that a lack of awareness about the merits of exclusive breastfeeding contributed to the rising number of obese children and adults.

The report shows that in 2010, only 15 percent of babies were breastfed exclusively for six months '€” half of the 32 percent that was reported in 2007 and much less than the 40 percent reported in 2002.

However, research conducted by the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) showed the opposite.

Mia Sutanto, the chairwoman of Indonesian Breastfeeding Mothers Association (AIMI), a support group focusing on promoting breastfeeding exclusively for babies in their first six months, said the 2012 Indonesia Demographic and Health Survey (SDKI) showed that exclusive breastfeeding actually increased from 32 percent in 2007 to 42 percent in 2012.

Mia said that despite the data, incorrect breast milk substitutes are still promoted and the government should impose tighter rules regarding breastfeeding.

'€œEven though the government has mentioned the importance of exclusive breastfeeding in Law No. 36/2009 on health, and Government Regulation No. 33/2012 on exclusive breastfeeding, there wasn'€™t any strict law enforcement,'€ she said.

The government regulation stated that every baby deserved to be exclusively breastfed for six months and that health workers should facilitate breastfeeding following labor.

'€œThe government does not monitor baby formula advertisements and the Law on health workers is not enforced,'€ Mia said.

A report by Frost & Sullivan released in March says Indonesia'€™s healthcare expenditure is predicted to reach US$60.6 billion by 2018.

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