Adolescents school students in Java and Sumatra are in greater risk of obesity

Abstract

Background: Indonesia faces burden of nutrition related diseases as obesity is increasing while malnutrition still exists, including in adolescents. Research are limited in term of which specific demography and geography aspects in Indonesia while stronger strategic intervention to prevent obesity in adolescents is needed. Objective: This study aims to describe proportion of obesity in indifferent adolescents characteristic and eating behaviour in different regions. Method: This study used data from Indonesia 2015 Global School-based Health Survey developed by US CDC and WHO) with modification based on Indonesia specific. The analysis included 10,544 students covered national representative and three regions of school students (grade 7 to 12) in Indonesia. Statistical analysis used chi square and log regressions. Results: The logistic model showed adolescents students living in Java island has significantly higher risk of obesity (adjusted OR 2.1;95%CI 1.3-3.3) compare to their peers in outside Java and Sumatra Island, while behavior risk factors such as physical activity and dietary habit were not significantly associated with obesity. Conclusions: Issues disparity of obesity in adolescents occurred in the three main Islands in Indonesia, in different school grades and in those with different dietary risk behaviours. Intervention strategy to address adolescents obesity issues will need to be directed toward school-based settings with taking into account specific approaches for students in Sumatra and other main islands in Indonesia as well as specific for junior and senior high school. (Health Science Journal of Indonesia 2019;10(2):119-27)