lifestyle

Indonesians Still Half-Hearted In Following A Healthy Lifestyle

Community Medicine Researcher, Ray Wagiu Basrowi assessed that the behavior of Indonesian people is still contrary to the concept of a healthy lifestyle. When viewed from various health sciences, said Ray, many Indonesians already understand. However, many are reluctant to apply it regularly. One of the reasons is because there are many challenges they experience. "Indonesians already believe that vaccines can prevent disease, exercise can reduce the risk of diabetes and hypertension, but the behavior of Indonesians is still contrary to the concept of true health," said Ray at the launch of his book entitled "Half-Hearted Health - Interpretation of the Paradox of the Health Belief Model" on May 28, 2025. 

Ray gave one example that he often sees. For example, in terms of providing exclusive breastfeeding to babies aged 0-6 months. According to Ray, many pregnant women already know about the importance of exclusive breastfeeding. They even intend to have a commitment to provide breast milk to their children since they are pregnant. However, when they have to work after maternity leave, challenges begin to occur. 

For example, mothers find it difficult to get permission from their superiors to pump breast milk, their work is too much so that they do not have time to pump breast milk. There is also the challenge of the lack of lactation space. Another challenge that is often experienced is the lack of support from the family environment and colleagues to provide exclusive breastfeeding to babies. "Even though they know the various benefits of exclusive breastfeeding, the belief in breastfeeding fails because they do not get support from their environment," said Ray. 

Breastfeeding is one of the main things in providing nutrition for children. This activity can also have an impact on preventing stunting which is one of the government's major agendas. "Having great personal belief is not enough (to follow the recommendations for a healthy lifestyle). It is important to have support from the environment that also encourages it," said Ray. He gave an example in the case of exclusive breastfeeding, the local government as the policy maker should prepare inclusive regulations for these women. Policies from company leaders can actually help so that these mothers can provide exclusive breastfeeding. "For example, by providing 6 months of maternity leave, not just 3 months," said Ray as an example. 

The reluctant actions of Indonesians to apply a healthy lifestyle can certainly have a national impact. In terms of exclusive breastfeeding, for example, the stunting rate will continue to rise if mothers do not provide optimal intake and exclusive breastfeeding to their children. In addition, various health programs from other governments such as Free Health Checks, the True Living Community Movement, to screening for non-communicable diseases, to free nutritious meals for school children will not be successful if the public does not understand the importance of health. This is coupled with the benefits of maintaining health that will be seen for a long time. For example, the impact of limiting sugar, salt, and fat will only be seen in the next few years. Those who maintain a good balance of intake will avoid various non-communicable diseases in old age. Then the problem of stunting is the same, when intake is not maintained at the infant age, later stunting, especially the problem of brain optimization will be seen when the child is in school. "The impact of health cannot be seen immediately, but is a long-term investment. Because it cannot be felt in the short term, as a result not many people are willing to easily follow it," said Ray. 

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Tag: Healthy Lifestyle Providing Exclusive Breastfeeding Ray Wagiu Basrowi