The dietary factors contributing to the escalating diabetes risk in urban environments like Greater Jakarta reflect those found in many metropolitan areas around the world. In Indonesia’s bustling culinary capital, the number of fast food orders surged significantly, jumping from 2.47 million in 2021-2022 to an astonishing 2.9 million in 2022-2023, highlighting the growing reliance on convenient, calorie-dense food options.

The urban lifestyle is characterized by limited physical activity and abundant access to energy-dense foods, exacerbating the diabetes crisis. The health trends observed in Greater Jakarta illustrate the profound impact of urbanization and globalization on the city’s inhabitants, signaling a pressing need for targeted dietary and lifestyle interventions tailored to the local population.

The rising incidence of diabetes in Indonesia can be attributed to a combination of genetic factors, rapid urbanization, and significant shifts in both lifestyle and dietary habits. Genetic predisposition plays a crucial role in individual susceptibility to diabetes, often amplifying the effects of environmental changes.

Urbanization accelerates the transition towards processed food consumption, particularly diets high in sugars. Metabolic health deteriorates in the context of sedentary lifestyles, which have become increasingly prevalent due to modern work conditions and leisure activities that discourage physical engagement.

Late-night consumption of fast food, especially during hours when the body typically winds down, heightens glucose sensitivity, thus raising the risk of diabetes. The convergence of these factors collectively amplifies the prevalence of diabetes, underscoring the urgent need to address modifiable risk factors within the rapidly changing Indonesian society, especially in the metropolitan Greater Jakarta area.

Indonesian cuisine has historically centered around a balanced diet rich in carbohydrates, fiber, vegetables, fruits, grains, and lean proteins, all contributing to nutritional adequacy. Staples such as rice, tofu, tempeh, and a variety of leafy greens like spinach and kale are integral to maintaining energy and metabolism. However, the past few decades have seen a troubling shift away from these traditional foods towards Westernized diets dominated by processed foods, sugar-laden snacks, and trans fats.

The increased availability of fast foods and sugary beverages has become commonplace, particularly among urban dwellers. This shift from nutrient-rich to calorie-rich, low-nutrient foods significantly raises the risk of developing diabetes. Consumption of late-night fast food disrupts normal blood sugar regulation and diminishes insulin sensitivity, adversely affecting overall metabolic health.

Frequent intake of fast foods, especially those laden with refined carbohydrates, sugars, and unhealthy fats, can dramatically elevate blood sugar levels and strain insulin function. This dietary pattern, if left unaddressed, culminates in insulin resistance—a precursor to type 2 diabetes, obesity, and other serious health concerns.

According to data from Gojek, a trend shows a notable increase in the ordering of fast foods, sweets, and desserts during nighttime in Indonesia, climbing from 4.9 million orders in 2021 to 5.9 million in 2023—a 19 percent rise. In Greater Jakarta, the demand has also surged from 2.47 million orders in 2021, with projections pointing toward 2.9 million by 2023, indicating a 17 percent increase driven by late-night cravings for high-calorie foods.

This growing demand corresponds to the increasing availability of last-hour dining options; the number of establishments offering fast food and dessert products surged from 483,509 in 2021 to 753,961 in 2023, marking a 56 percent increase. Specifically, late-night outlets, those open post-10 p.m., expanded from 122,789 to 191,204, also a 56 percent increase, illustrating how availability directly impacts dietary choices and, consequently, diabetes risk in Indonesia.

Recent research estimates that the prevalence of diabetes in Indonesia will rise alarmingly from 9.19 percent in 2020 to 16.09 percent by 2045, equating to approximately 40.7 million individuals affected. This projection, based on 2018 data, utilized a modeling approach to assess risks and strategize on tackling noncommunicable diseases.

Without proactive interventions, the number of deaths attributed to diabetes could nearly double in the near future, emphasizing the critical need for robust public health initiatives aimed at mitigating this growing crisis.

It is essential for the government to collaborate with non-governmental organizations in order to enhance public awareness regarding the consequences of diabetes and to actively promote lifestyle changes, including regular health check-ups.

The identified effective interventions involve community-oriented public health campaigns that advocate for healthier dietary practices, aiming for moderation in fast food consumption and instilling balanced meal planning habits. Furthermore, leveraging technology could play a pivotal role in raising dietary awareness; mobile applications could assist users in navigating food delivery choices, substituting unhealthy options with healthier alternatives.

Shifts in dietary habits, particularly regarding late-night fast food consumption, are substantially contributing to the rise of diabetes in Indonesia. Elevating public health consciousness and fostering multi-sectoral collaboration between the government and various stakeholders will be vital in confronting this escalating problem.

Pursuing healthier dietary practices, combined with improved public understanding, can position Indonesia to avert a diabetes crisis and cultivate a more wholesome future for its citizens.

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Micah Wanandi is a student of business and public health at the University of California, Irvine, the United States. Dicky Tahapary is an internal medicine specialist in the School of Medicine, of the University of Indonesia.

**Interview with Dr. Sarah ⁢Lestari, Public Health Expert and Nutritionist, on the Rising Diabetes Risk in Urban ⁣Jakarta**

**Interviewer:** Welcome, Dr. Lestari! Thank ​you for joining us today to discuss the concerning rise of diabetes in urban Jakarta.

**Dr. Lestari:** Thank you‌ for having me! It’s crucial that we talk about this issue, as the implications‌ are quite serious for public health.

**Interviewer:** Absolutely. The statistics are alarming, especially the increase in fast food orders. Can you elaborate on how the rise in fast food consumption is contributing to the diabetes epidemic in urban areas like Jakarta?

**Dr. Lestari:** Certainly. The surge ‌in fast food orders, ‌from 2.47 million in 2021 to a projected 2.9 million in 2023, reflects a larger trend towards convenience and calorie-dense foods. These foods are often high in sugars, unhealthy fats, and refined carbohydrates,‌ which⁣ can spike blood sugar levels. When consumed late at night, they disrupt normal metabolic⁢ processes and enhance the risk factors for diabetes.

**Interviewer:** That makes​ sense. You mentioned a⁣ lifestyle characterized by limited physical activity. How does urbanization play ‍a role‍ in this?

**Dr.⁢ Lestari:** ‌Urbanization creates environments where physical activity is often discouraged‍ due to long working hours, reliance on motorized transportation, and‍ the availability ​of entertainment that promotes sedentary behavior. This lifestyle, combined with easy access‌ to unhealthy ‍foods, ‍significantly contributes to the rise in obesity and insulin ​resistance, both precursors to type ⁣2 diabetes.

**Interviewer:** The shift away from traditional Indonesian cuisine is also notable. What are the dietary changes that ​concern you the ‍most?

**Dr. Lestari:** Traditional Indonesian cuisine is ​rich ⁤in whole foods, such as rice, tofu, fresh vegetables, and fruits. However, the increasing adoption of Western dietary patterns filled with processed​ foods and sugary snacks has led to a nutrient deficiency in⁣ many urban diets. These dietary changes not only increase caloric intake but also ​decrease⁤ the consumption of essential nutrients, further exacerbating the diabetes risk.

**Interviewer:** With projections estimating that 40.7 million‍ Indonesians could be affected by diabetes by ⁣2045, what interventions do you believe are essential to curb this trend?

**Dr. Lestari:** We need comprehensive public health strategies that include promoting healthier‌ dining options,⁤ particularly late-night, improving urban‍ planning to encourage physical ⁢activity, and educating⁣ the public on the importance of nutrition and lifestyle ‍changes. Governments and communities must work together to create environments that⁤ support healthier choices, including better access to‌ traditional foods and more recreational spaces.

**Interviewer:**⁤ Thank you, Dr. Lestari, for your insights. It’s clear that addressing this issue will require concerted efforts across multiple ⁣sectors to combat the rising diabetes risk‍ in urban Jakarta.

**Dr. Lestari:** Thank you for highlighting this important issue. It’s crucial ⁢we act now‌ to ​reverse ‍these trends for the health of our communities.

**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, and thank you to our audience for tuning in. Let’s prioritize our health and make informed dietary choices!