Indonesia-Denmark Push Obesity Awareness Campaign Through Education

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The government is encouraging the public to become more aware of obesity through campaigns promoting public awareness and healthy lifestyles. The initiative was highlighted during the “Obesity Disease Awareness” event organized by Indonesia’s Ministry of Health together with the Embassy of Denmark and Danish healthcare company Novo Nordisk Indonesia.

At the event held in Jakarta on Thursday, May 7, 2026, Indonesian Health Minister, Budi Gunadi Sadikin, said public education is key to reducing obesity rates in Indonesia. The government, he said, aims to build a “healthy living movement” so people become more aware of maintaining their own health.

“What the government has done is to educate and provide information,” Budi said.

He added that the government has begun introducing nutrition labeling, or Nutri Grade, to help people better understand the contents of food and beverages more easily. According to him, the measure is expected to encourage behavioral changes toward healthier lifestyles.

Nutri Grade is a front-of-package nutrition labeling system designed to help consumers make healthier food and beverage choices more easily. The label uses a simple grading scale, typically from A to D with color indicators, to show the sugar and nutritional content of products, allowing people to quickly identify healthier options.

“We must have a healthy living movement,” Budi said.

Meanwhile, Denmark’s Ambassador to Indonesia, Sten Frimodt Nielsen, said obesity is a health challenge influenced by many factors, ranging from lifestyle to access to healthcare. Therefore, he believes raising public awareness is an important step in preventing long-term health impacts.

“And that is why raising awareness is so important. Because the better we understand the issue, the better we can respond,” Nielsen said.

He also emphasized that addressing obesity requires collaboration among various stakeholders, including governments, healthcare workers, industry, and communities. According to him, Denmark has learned that prevention and early action can help people live healthier and longer lives.

The awareness campaign was held to help the public better understand obesity and its health risks. The ministry invited two Indonesian doctors and a fitness coach to educate attendees during the event.