Jakarta. From gym sessions and morning runs to Pilates classes and health-tracking apps, wellness is becoming part of everyday life for many young Indonesians, but a flood of often-conflicting advice online is making it harder to know what is actually healthy.

Fitri Ariyani, 23, works out about three times a week, alternating between gym sessions and running.

“I usually work out about three times a week. If I’m busy, maybe just twice. I do more gym and running because I feel fitter and it also helps keep my mood up,” she said.

Retno Afriyanti, 21, exercises less frequently, usually about once a week. She prefers jogging and occasional exercise classes.

“I don’t really follow the latest workout trends. Usually, when I have time, I go jogging or do some light exercise. For me, the important thing is to stay active and not be too sedentary,” she said.

Their habits reflect growing interest in wellness among young Indonesians. PwC Indonesia’s 2026 Voice of the Consumer survey found that 61% of young consumers in the country engage in regular physical activity.

The survey also found that 31% spend money on gym memberships, fitness classes, or personal trainers, while 90% use health apps or wearable devices to monitor their health.

But greater interest in wellness has also exposed young people to an overwhelming amount of health information.

Social media is filled with advice on diets, high-protein foods, exercise, supplements, sleep, and achieving an “ideal” body. The sheer volume of content can make it difficult to distinguish evidence-based advice from the latest viral trend.

Putri Valentina, 22, said she often encounters contradictory health claims online.

“Sometimes I do get confused because one post says something is good, but another post says it’s not. For example, when it comes to diets or supplements,” she said. “So I usually don’t believe it right away and prefer to look for information from sources I consider more credible.”

Reva Eveline, 21, takes a similar approach and avoids trying every wellness trend she encounters.

“There’s just too much information. If you try to follow it all, it can actually be confusing,” she said. “I’d rather focus on the basics, like exercise, eating well and getting enough sleep than try every new trend that comes along.”

The confusion is widespread. PwC Indonesia found that 42% of consumers feel overwhelmed by the amount of health information available or by conflicting information.

Nutritionist Lisa Prianti said the growing interest in wellness reflects a broader shift in how young people view health, from something addressed after illness strikes to part of a preventive lifestyle.

“This is evident in the growing interest in physical activity, more regular eating habits, better sleep quality, and the use of technology, such as wearing devices to track daily activities,” Lisa said.

But greater awareness does not necessarily mean a better understanding of health.

“Gen Z is currently navigating a massive flood of health information, including various diet trends, claims about specific foods, the use of supplements, and concepts of a ‘healthy lifestyle’ that may not necessarily have a strong scientific basis,” she said.

Lisa said young people need to learn how to distinguish evidence-based information from social media trends.

“Content that goes viral or gets a lot of views doesn’t automatically mean the information is scientifically accurate,” she said. “It’s important to look at the source of the information, its scientific basis, and whether the recommendations are actually relevant to our situation.”

Research suggests that enthusiasm for wellness does not always translate into consistent healthy habits.

A study titled “Post-pandemic Behavior Among Indonesian Young Adults: A Mixed-Method Study on Physical Activity, Dietary Patterns, and Sleep Habits,” published in the Gadjah Mada University journal Berita Kedokteran Masyarakat in March 2026, surveyed 260 respondents aged 18 to 23.

It found that 80.4% exercised fewer than 10 times a month or failed to meet the recommended 150 minutes of physical activity a week. Meanwhile, 58.1% preferred ultra-processed foods and 65.4% reported sleep deprivation, with respondents averaging six to seven hours of sleep a night.

The findings suggest that being interested in wellness and consistently practicing healthy habits are not necessarily the same thing.

“The key principle is to build habits that align with an individual’s needs and circumstances and then maintain them consistently over the long term,” Lisa said.

Add as a preferred source on Google +