IPB University Expert Straightens Nutrition Myths: Chubby Children Are Not Necessarily Healthy, Rice is Not the Culprit Behind Belly Fat
Amidst the rising trend of healthy lifestyles and the prevalence of health information on social media, various nutritional myths continue to persist in society.
Some circulating myths suggest, for example, that a child with a large physique is often considered a sign of health and adequate nutrition; that eating dinner is the primary cause of weight gain; while rice is frequently blamed as the main cause of belly fat. Is this actually true?
Professor of Food and Nutrition at IPB University, Prof Ali Khomsan, assesses that these perceptions stem from old viewpoints that do not fully understand the principles of balanced nutrition. He explained that health status cannot be determined solely by physical appearance. Mistaken perceptions actually risk triggering various chronic diseases from a young age.
“While in the past being fat was considered a symbol of prosperity or welfare, we now realize that obesity also makes a person more susceptible to non communicable diseases,” he stated.
He explained that indicators of a healthy child should refer to the suitability of weight and height based on medical standards. Obesity is a significant risk factor for the emergence of hypertension, diabetes, and other metabolic disorders.
“Hypertension, diabetes, and blood sugar diseases are, in part, caused by a significant risk factor, which is obesity,” he explained.
On the other hand, parental concern regarding small bodied children also frequently leads to misperceptions. Prof Ali emphasized that a small child does not necessarily experience stunting.
“Stunting has its own measurements. Every Posyandu (Integrated Healthcare Center) knows the standards. For example, if a five year old child is only 90 centimeters tall, then that is stunting because the indicator is height,” he explained.
These standards are available at community health centers (Puskesmas) and through Posyandu workers so that the public can obtain objective and measurable assessments.
He also corrected the notion that eating dinner is the primary cause of weight gain. According to him, the actual issue lies in the time interval between eating and sleeping.
“The body requires a gap of four to five hours between eating and bedtime so that the digestive process functions optimally,” he said.
Therefore, he suggests eating in the late afternoon, especially for middle aged groups whose metabolism has begun to decline.
In addition to the timing of meals, rice is also often regarded as the main cause of obesity. However, Prof Ali views this issue as being more related to consumption habits.
“Why is rice often considered problematic? Because rice is palatable. When people eat delicious rice, they tend to eat more of it,” he revealed.
He added that if other carbohydrate sources such as cassava or sweet potatoes are consumed in excess, the impact on body weight remains the same.
“I see it not solely because of the calories, but because of the quantity consumed. People usually eat rice in larger quantities,” he concluded.
Through proper nutritional education, he hopes the public will increasingly understand that health is not determined by a single type of food or a specific body shape, but rather by the balance of diet and lifestyle as a whole. (AS) (IAAS/HNF)
