Dr Kholisah Nasution
Dr Kholisah Nasution
Indonesia
“Without addressing the objectification, preoccupation and overvaluation of bodies at the broader societal level, real change and impact cannot be achieved.”
Dr Nasution is a pediatrician and public health practitioner at the Palabuhanratu General Hospital, West Java, Indonesia. Public health has been her passion since medical school, which is reflected in her vast research experience, including body image, nutrition, adolescent health, and cancer.
Kholisah is an expert into adolescent health and well-being in south-east Asia, including the development of strategies to enhance mental health. She recently moved from Jakarta to a fishing town, where she provides healthcare to children and adolescents.
How did you come to be a pediatrician and public health practitioner?
I was born and spent most of my childhood in Medan, one of the big cities on Sumatra Island, Indonesia, and then moved to pursue a medical degree at the Universitas Indonesia in Jakarta. While a medical student, I became very interested in public health and pursued several studies with my colleagues about combatting public health issues among Indonesian populations, including tropical infectious diseases and cervical cancer. My passion for public health led me to work for the Indonesia Office of Female Cancer Foundation, where I was involved in creating awareness campaigns and accessible screening strategies for early detection. I then went on to receive my masters degree in International Public Health from the University of Sydney, where I then started working in a primary healthcare clinic for rural people in Palabuhanratu; a fishing town on the southwest coast of West Java facing the Indian Ocean. During this time, I continued working towards a pediatrics resident at Universitas Indonesia-Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, where my thesis centered around adolescent health, especially the body image, nutrition, and psychosocial health of young people in urban Jakarta.
Tell us about a distinctive memory of how body image affected you?
I have lived in many different places in my country, as well as abroad. What I saw is similar in all places, whatever your ethnicity or nationality is, your body is used to describe who you are. In Indonesia, it’s very common to describe someone by their body shape and size. For example, we say “itu lo yang anaknya gemuk, kulitnya agak gelap” which translates to “that girl who is fat, with a bit dark skin” rather than “itu lo yang jago kalau pelajaran olahraga, yang rumahnya di Jalan Jaksa” which translates to “that girl who is good at sports, living on Jaksa Street”. I recognise how body image and the prejudices surrounding this topic are ingrained into the everyday language we use to communicate with one another. Even now, I realize it is more complex for me and my other colleagues in the medical profession. As a pediatrician, I need to be aware of the medical system that I work in and how it stigmatizes people based on their appearance. It is important that we look at every aspect of a person to understand and determine their mental and physical health, and not simply their body shape and size.
Why did you get into body image and mental health research and work?
I was introduced to the concept of body image during my thesis for my residency program.. My thesis supervisors, Dr Bernie Medise and Dr Yoga Devaera, are experts in adolescent health and have published several pieces on body image. As I gained knowledge and expertise on the topic, I became acquainted with experts from the Centre for Appearance Research at the University of the West of England, and it quickly became apparent that we shared many ideas and values! It is through this connection with the Centre for Appearance Research that I came to understand how we could target body image through prevention and intervention programs, and better the lives of young people.
What work are you most proud of to date?
In addition to being a pediatrician, I have had the opportunity to consult and collaborate with the Centre for Appearance Research on a large project that has investigated body image among adolescents and young adults in Indonesia. Together, we have explored this topic, which has been largely unexplored in Indonesia, as well as developed interventions to support young people with their concerns. I am also currently working on building a small adolescent clinic that will provide them with access to mental and physical health support. This is rarely done in the large cities of Indonesia, let alone a small town! I have a long road ahead and it will be tough, but I believe there is no way forward unless we simply start, and that is exactly what I have done.
Why is this work important to you, where do you see it going and who would you like to work with?
Working with adolescents is a passion of mine that transcends every aspect of my life. Sadly, adolescents are often ignored when they try and attempt to share their stories about their mental and physical health, including their families. In medical school, we are taught different approaches for digging into an adolescent’s psychosocial health. However, traditional medicine does not always encourage the use of these more holistic approaches, and we soon forget to lean on them. Instead, the medical system in Indonesia tends to focus more so on the biology of an individual, and forgets to consider how the world around an individual can largely affect their mental and physical health! This is also reflected in the scarcity of public health prevention and intervention in Indonesia. However, attitudes are starting to change and public health initiatives are growing! It is important for me to understand that adolescents' health is supported by different life domains, and I am particularly interested in how an active life and exercise can promote adolescents' psychosocial health and well-being. I dream of working with brands that specialize in exercise, sport and outdoor activities and use these activities to promote mental health and well-being among the young people of Indonesia and other Southeast Asian countries and cultures!
The Small Print
Education
Pediatrician, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta (2017-2021)
Master of International Public Health, School of Public Health, University of Sydney (2012-2013)
Medical Doctor, Universitas Indonesia (2008-2010)
Bachelor of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia (2004-2008)
Current Appointments
General pediatrician (full-timer) - Palabuhanratu General Hospital, West Java, Indonesia
Other Appointments
Editor – Journal of Indonesian Medical Association
Publications
Can be viewed here
Honors & Awards
Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP) Ministry of Finance, Indonesia for Specialist Scholarship (2017)
Australia Awards for Master Program Scholarship (2012)
When I’m not working, you’ll find me…
Shopping for groceries and cooking for my family
Practicing light exercises which improve my posture as well as boost my daily mood, usually only the two of us, me and my body.
Reading more books and diving into the study of my religion which then attracts me more to the eternal life and satisfaction with this life
Connect with me
Find out more about Kholisah and their work.
Work with us
For information about working with Kholisah on your project please get in touch.