‘Normal Weight’ People Can be Obese, Experts Warns

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - People with normal body weight can still face obesity-related health risks, Indonesian health experts warned. Putri Sakti Dwi, a doctor with Clinical Nutrition Specialist, made the statement at the “Obesity Disease Awareness” event held by the Health Ministry in Jakarta on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

Putri Sakti Dwi who was one of the speakers at the event, said many people still associate obesity only with body shape or visible weight gain. She further said that a person with a normal weight may have unhealthy body fat composition, a condition known as “normal weight obesity” or “skinny fat.”

“Because there’s a condition called ‘skinny fat.’ Or, to put it another way, it’s called Normal Weight Obesity,” dr. Putri said during the discussion.

What is Normal Weight Obesity?

Normal weight obesity (NWO) is a condition in which a person has a normal body mass index (BMI). Although, due to their unhealthy proportion of body fat and muscle mass, they face higher risks of metabolic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke.

According to her, the condition occurs when a person has relatively low muscle mass but high body fat percentage. It increases the risk of chronic diseases despite appearing slim or having normal weight.

“So even if someone has a normal weight, if they have low muscle mass and high body fat, they are at a risk of disease that, according to research, is twice as high as that of obese people,” she said.

How to Prevent It?

Health experts at the event, dr. Putri Sakti Dwi and dr. Gia Pratama, stressed that obesity should be understood as a chronic metabolic disease rather than merely a physical appearance issue. They encouraged people to pay closer attention to body composition, nutrition, physical activity, sleep quality, stress management, and hormonal health to maintain long-term well-being.

Dr. Putri explained that obesity prevention should be built on four key pillars: healthy nutrition, regular physical activity, quality sleep, and stress management. She noted that poor sleep and chronic stress can disrupt hormones linked to hunger and fullness, while dr. Gia highlighted that hormonal conditions such as thyroid disorders can also affect metabolism and weight gain.