Trends in BMI of Indonesian adults between 1993 and 2014: a longitudinal population-based study

Objective:To examine the trajectories of BMI in Indonesian adults from 1993 to 2014, investigating different patterns by sex and birth cohort. Design:Longitudinal study: secondary data analysis of the Indonesian Family Life Survey, a large-scale population-based longitudinal study, had their height and weight measured up to five times throughout the 21-year study period (1993-2014). The change in BMI across time was estimated using group-based trajectory models, then differences by sex and birth cohort were investigated using random effect (mixed) models. Setting:Thirteen out of twenty-seven provinces in Indonesia. Participants:Indonesian adults aged 19 years and older (n 42 537) were included in the analysis. Results:Mean BMI in adults increased between 1993 (21 center dot 4 kg/m(2)) and 2014 (23 center dot 5 kg/m(2)). The group-based trajectory model found three distinct groups with mean BMI increasing more rapidly in the most recent time periods. The first group (56 center dot 7 % of participants) had a mean BMI entirely within the normal weight range; the second group (34 center dot 7 %) started in the normal weight category and were obese, on average by the end of the study period; and the third group (8 center dot 6 %) were always in the obese category, on average. The shape of these three trajectories differed by gender (P < 0 center dot 001) and birth cohort (P < 0 center dot 001). Conclusions:The mean BMI among Indonesian adults has increased between 1993 and 2014, driven by those in the most recent birth cohorts. Our findings support the urgent need for targeted overweight and obesity prevention and intervention programmes in Indonesia.

Automated summary

This study aims to examine the trajectories of BMI in Indonesian adults from 1993 to 2014, investigating different patterns by sex and birth cohort. The findings indicate that the mean BMI among Indonesian adults has increased between 1993 and 2014, with the most recent birth cohorts showing the fastest increase. This highlights the urgent need for targeted overweight and obesity prevention and intervention programs in Indonesia.