Healthy Lifestyles to Reduce Gaps in Society

The physical activity of the Indonesian people is relatively low when compared to other countries. According to the publication of the Global Matrix 4.0 which was released on October 24, 2022, Indonesia got a lot of low scores for every aspect that was assessed.

The Global Matrix 4.0 is the most comprehensive assessment of global variation in child and adolescent physical activity covering 57 countries. 

The Global Matrix revealed that modern lifestyles – increases in digital screen time, the growing urbanization of communities, and the rise in automation of previously manual tasks – are contributing to a pervasive yet unequally distributed public health problem that must be recognized as a global priority.

For each aspect, a country can be categorised as grade A (highest), B, C, D, or F (the lowest).

Indonesia has poor performance in Overall Physical Activity (grade F), Organised Sports and Physical Activities (F), Active Play (F), Active Transportation (D-), Physical Fitness (F), Family and Peers (F), School (F), Community and Environment (D+), and Behavioral Average (D-), Sources of Influence Average (D), and Overall Average (D-).

Those conditions are synchronised with high achievement in Sedentary Behaviour (grade B) or any waking behaviour characterised by an energy expenditure ≤1.5 metabolic equivalents, while in a sitting, reclining or lying posture. 

With those unimpressive results, is there any correlation with the average IQ in the Indonesian population of 84 points which is considered a low average (www.worlddata.info)?

Unavoidable, the question of the intelligence of a certain nationality or population may be controversial. Intelligence is influenced by national, political, and geographic factors. Often surprisingly but scientifically proven, a warmer climate badly affects the intelligence quotient.

Fragmentation

Since the above figures are from the average standpoint, there is always a fragmentation of the population who achieve higher and lower than the average value. 

People who are above average value have different characteristics that differentiate them from other groups who are below average. As mentioned above, they probably have a healthier and more active lifestyle and higher productivity hence leading to higher income and standard of living. As a result, they can inherit certain characteristics for the next generations.


Cited from poppoliticsaus.wordpress.com, there was very little critical engagement with inherited privilege of the rich, and a limited acknowledgement of structural disadvantage as most responses focused on how young people can choose to move out of poverty. For example:

“I do not agree with this picture. This image is conveying that rich people will remain rich and poor people will remain poor! and will always be misery. I do not agree with it, we are individuals that make different choices and believe me when I say, we can change this. I teach students every day and I always tell them, ‘if anyone can change your life it is you’, you are the one who is controlling your life” (Female, UK).

When the key to change is on the individuals, how do people who are below the average know their current condition and able to enhance their lives?

An example is by observing smoking behaviour among the Indonesian population. In 2018, approximately 37,9% of the Indonesian population are smokers. More specifically, the prevalence of male and female smokers is 70.50% dan 5.30%. Cigarette consumption is also the second contributor to the poverty line (Indonesian Statistics).

This high prevalence of unhealthy lifestyles, shown by a higher prevalence of smokers, can lead to a nation's burden due to healthcare costs and high opportunity costs because they earn less than they should. 

On the other hand, other population groups can perform better due to healthier and more active lifestyles, are less likely to get ill, have higher productivity, and eventually can lead to higher income. 

With those different results, can Indonesia reduce the gap between populations by enhancing a better lifestyle?


Reference

https://www.activehealthykids.org/4-0/

https://www.worlddata.info/iq-by-country.php

https://thomassoseco.blogspot.com/2022/04/rokok-di-indonesia-murah-namun-dimiliki.html

https://thomassoseco.blogspot.com/2022/01/rokok-dan-garis-kemiskinan.html

https://poppoliticsaus.wordpress.com/2016/04/04/comparing-young-peoples-political-agendas-and-views-on-inequality-in-australia-the-uk-and-usa/

Popular posts from this blog

Skewness dan Kurtosis

Piramida Distribusi Kekayaan Masyarakat Indonesia

KKN di Desa Penari

Palma Ratio Indonesia

Daya Beli Masyarakat, in this Economy: Dunia Usaha dan Perspektif Ekonomi Makro

Generasi Hutang: Literasi Keuangan dan Kekayaan Rumah Tangga

Berapa Rata-Rata Kekayaan Rumah Tangga di Indonesia?