In the process of human growth and development, nutritional status is one of the key indicators used to assess overall health. Among various dietary status categories, obesity poses the highest risk, as it not only reflects excess body weight but is also closely linked to a range of serious diseases.
UGM nutrition expert Dr. Mirza Hapsari Sakti Titis Penggalih explained that obesity does not present in the same way in every individual. Health risks are largely determined by fat distribution patterns in the body, one of which is fat accumulation in the abdominal area, commonly known as belly fat or central obesity.
To understand central obesity, Dr. Penggalih said, it is first necessary to understand the concept of nutritional status. Nutritional status is determined based on the ratio of height to body weight, known as the Body Mass Index (BMI).
According to WHO standards, nutritional status is classified into underweight, normal, overweight, and obese. However, it is essential to note that BMI only indicates overall body fat, not where the fat is distributed.
“Using WHO standards, a normal BMI ranges from 18 to 23, overweight from 23 to 25, and above 25 is considered obese. The most dangerous category is when BMI exceeds 30,” she said on Wednesday (Dec. 17).
Differences in fat distribution are what distinguish central obesity from other forms of obesity. Assessing central obesity cannot rely solely on BMI. A waist circumference above 90 centimeters is an important indicator.
In women, the hormone estrogen redistributes fat throughout the body, including the arms, chest, thighs, hips, and abdomen. In contrast, men are more prone to central obesity because fat accumulation tends to be concentrated in the abdominal area due to the absence of estrogen.
Central obesity is a serious concern because it is closely associated with metabolic syndrome, as large amounts of fat accumulate around the abdomen.
Metabolic syndrome is characterized by elevated blood sugar levels, high blood pressure, and abnormal cholesterol levels. When this condition persists, the risk of noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, and hypertension increases significantly.
“When blood biochemistry is already impaired, various noncommunicable diseases can emerge, which ultimately also increase the risk of mortality,” she said.
Naturally, central obesity tends to occur more frequently after age 40 due to hormonal factors. Hormonal changes contribute to fat accumulation, making the risk higher after age 40, particularly in women.
However, this condition can develop earlier as a result of unhealthy lifestyles from a young age. Among younger age groups, the main factors contributing to central obesity are insufficient physical activity and diets high in sugar, salt, and fat. Excess intake is stored as fat and alters metabolic processes.
To address obesity, Dr. Penggalih emphasized the importance of changing one’s mindset before starting a diet. Weight loss should be understood as a long-term process that requires patience and consistency. Only after that should dietary patterns be adjusted according to age and bodily needs, by reducing sugar, salt, and fat intake while increasing the consumption of fruits and vegetables.
“The mindset that must be built is this: ‘This is my turning point, I want to change.’ Without that, no matter how good the program is, it will not work,” she stressed.
Furthermore, Dr. Penggalih explained that at a younger age, a still-optimal metabolism allows body weight to be corrected more quickly when diet and physical activity are improved.
However, after age 40, metabolism slows down, requiring additional strategies such as regulating eating windows or practicing intermittent fasting (IF). Nevertheless, she emphasized that all interventions must be personalized and supervised by health professionals, as each individual’s health condition is different.
In closing, Dr. Penggalih warned that without consistent lifestyle changes, this condition can develop into various chronic diseases that threaten quality of life.
“What we invest in our bodies today is what we will reap in the form of disease or health in the future,” she concluded.
Author: Lintang Andwyna
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Illustration: Freepik