Thailand Ranks Third in ASEAN for Child Obesity, Study Reveals
Thailand has been ranked the third worst in ASEAN for childhood obesity, with 84.1% of children aged 6 to 14 consuming salty snacks regularly, according to a recent study. The findings have prompted a call for action from health organizations to tackle this growing public health issue.
Awareness Campaign
To address the concern, the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) collaborated with the Public Health Ministry, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), and other health advocacy groups to organize the event “Don’t Let Children Become Obese” at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre.
The event highlighted innovative strategies to promote healthier eating habits, focusing on reducing the consumption of sweet, fatty, and salty foods while encouraging increased intake of fruits and vegetables.
Childhood Obesity Statistics
Yanee Ratborirak, acting director of ThaiHealth’s Office of Media System Promotion and Intellectual Health, revealed concerning data:
- Children up to 5 years: 9.13% are obese or nearly obese.
- Children aged 6–14 years: 13.4% are obese or nearly obese.
- Teens aged 15–18 years: 13.2% are obese or nearly obese.
The primary causes are poor eating habits and insufficient physical activity.
Snack Consumption
The study also found alarming trends in snack consumption:
- Children aged 6–14 years: 84.1% consume salty snacks regularly, averaging 1.35 packs per day.
- Children aged 1–5 years: 76.5% consume salty snacks, averaging 1.23 packs per day.
Global Outlook
The World Obesity Federation predicts that by 2030, 50% of children worldwide will be obese.
Event Objectives and Innovations
The “Don’t Let Children Become Obese” initiative aimed to encourage a cultural shift toward healthier habits through creative media and prototype innovations. Yanee emphasized the importance of collaboration among schools, communities, families, and students in fostering these changes.
Sa-nga Damapong, honorary advisor to the Nutrition Association of Thailand, commended the project’s success over the past five years. He stressed the significance of innovative approaches, such as persuasive media and new methods to inspire children to adopt healthier dietary and exercise habits.
The Road Ahead
With obesity rates on the rise, experts stress the urgency of nationwide efforts to address poor dietary habits and physical inactivity. These initiatives are crucial to ensuring Thai children grow up healthy and resilient in the face of global health challenges.