Obesity among Preschool-aged Children in Thailand

Abstract

The numbers of preschool children with obesity in Thailand have increased to worrying levels. From a survey of the Thai population health status on preschool nutritional status in 1997 and 2009 conducted by the Ministry of Public Health and the Thai Public Health Research Institute, obesity among children aged 2-5 years increased from 5.8 to 7.9%. Obesity in children has both physical and mental effects. The study found that obese children were more likely to become obese adults, and the risk of morbidity and mortality increased. Therefore, preventing and treating obesity must begin at an early age and involve different sectors such as families, communities, schools and children to manage the integration process. In addition, to improve the process, lessons used as guidelines should be evaluated and applying in the future, so that obesity among preschool children will be resolved effectively, concretely, and sustainably.