Heavy issue: Thailand weighs in with the world’s fattest kids
Thailand is home to some of the fattest kids in the world a new study has revealed. The kingdom finds itself grappling with a burgeoning child obesity crisis, ranking as the third worst in the ASEAN region, according to a recent study.
A staggering 84.1% of Thai children aged six to 14 are regularly munching on salty snacks, prompting urgent calls for action.
To combat this growing issue, the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) teamed up with the Public Health Ministry, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), and several health advocacy organisations.
Together, they held a high-profile event named Don’t Let Children Become Obese at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, aiming to raise awareness and offer a cultural reset on unhealthy eating trends.
The event showcased innovative strategies and creative media designed to instil healthier eating habits among the nation’s youth. The focus was clear: curtail the consumption of sweet, fatty, and salty foods while promoting the intake of fruits and vegetables.
Yanee Ratborirak, acting director of ThaiHealth’s Office of Media System Promotion and Intellectual Health, pointed out that child obesity rates in Thailand are alarmingly high, surpassed only by Malaysia and Brunei within ASEAN.
In 2023, data showed obesity or near-obesity affects 9.13% of children up to age five, 13.4% of those aged six to 14, and 13.2% of teenagers aged 15 to 18.
The primary culprits? Poor dietary habits and a lack of physical activity. Alarmingly, children aged six to 14 consume an average of 1.35 packs of salty snacks daily, with even younger kids (aged one to five) not far behind at 76.5%, consuming 1.23 packs a day.
Highlighting the scale of the issue, the World Obesity Federation predicts that by 2030, half of the globe’s children could face obesity, reported Bangkok Post.
Yanee illustrated that the event strived for a cultural shift towards healthy nutrition through creative means, involving schools, families, and community leaders.
The initiative drew praise from Sa-nga Damapong, an honorary advisor to the Nutrition Association of Thailand, who lauded the project’s impact over the past half-decade.
He emphasised the vital role of tangible innovations, including media and methods, in persuading children to adopt healthier lifestyles through balanced diets and increased physical activity.
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