Temporal Trends in Key Lifestyle Risk Factors in Thailand Compared with Global Averages with Projections to 2030: WHO Data (2000–2022)
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate temporal trends in four key lifestyle risk factors—tobacco use, alcohol consumption, obesity, and physical inactivity— in Thailand, and to compare these trends with regional and global patterns using World Health Organization (WHO) data.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This ecological time-trend study used secondary aggregated data from the World Health Organization Global Health Observatory (WHO’s GHO). National estimates for Thailand were compared with South-East Asia and global averages from 2000 to 2022, with projections to 2030. Trends were analyzed across four indicators: smoking prevalence, alcohol consumption, obesity prevalence, and insufficient physical activity, using the age group specified by the WHO for each indicator. Temporal trends were assessed using linear regression models, with projections to 2030 derived from the fitted models.
RESULTS: Smoking prevalence declined steadily in Thailand from 26.8% in 2000 to 17.8% in 2022. Alcohol consumption showed a modest reduction but remained consistently higher than global and regional averages, with intake peaking at 9.4 litres per capita in both 2004 and 2006. In contrast, obesity prevalence increased from 5.7% to 15.4%, while physical inactivity rose markedly from 14.7% to 31.2%, exceeding global levels after 2018. Parallel upward trends in physical inactivity and obesity suggest a potential interaction between sedentary behavior and metabolic risk. Projections indicate continued increases in obesity and inactivity by 2030.
CONCLUSION: Thailand demonstrates a shifting non-communicable disease risk profile, with improvements in smoking but worsening trends in obesity and physical inactivity. Although alcohol consumption has shown a modest decline over time, it remains persistently higher than both regional and global averages, with a substantial burden driven by premature mortality and patterns of episodic heavy drinking. These findings highlight the need for integrated, long-term public health strategies addressing structural determinants of lifestyle behaviors. Comparative analysis suggests that global benchmarks may provide useful references for national policy planning.
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