Bangkok: The government is urging parents to focus on the health of Thai children, as the country ranks third in ASEAN for obesity. Efforts are being made in collaboration with national and local network partners to foster a healthy society, aiming to reduce non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
According to Thai News Agency, Deputy Government Spokesperson Mr. Anukul Prueksanusak highlighted data from the Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth). The data indicates that Thailand’s high rate of child obesity is primarily due to the consumption of sweet, fatty, and salty foods, contributing to NCDs, which are the leading cause of death in Thailand, claiming nearly 400,000 lives annually. NCDs are chronic diseases not spread by germs but caused by lifestyle behaviors, including diabetes, various cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, and obesity.
Furthermore, the Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) is working on a project to improve awareness around drug use to mitigate kidney disease risks. It was found that over 1.13 million Thai people suffer from chronic kidney disease. A 2024 survey by the Department of Health Administration, Ministry of Public Health, revealed that only 64.9% of the general public have adequate knowledge of rational drug use, with many purchasing and using drugs independently without a doctor’s diagnosis.
Mr. Anukul emphasized that inappropriate, unnecessary, and incorrect drug use directly impacts health, leading to issues such as allergic reactions, adverse effects, and bacterial drug resistance. The National Economic and Social Development Board’s social situation report for the third quarter of 2024 shows an increase in chronic kidney disease and related mortality rates, with patient numbers rising from 0.98 million in 2022 to 1.13 million in 2024.
The government, through ThaiHealth, is committed to promoting health knowledge and correct behaviors. This includes educating on suitable medication use to reduce kidney disease risk among working-age groups and encouraging healthier consumption habits among children to prevent NCDs. Collaborative efforts with network partners at all levels aim to build a robust, healthy society. Initiatives include using the ‘Balanced Triangle’ concept to enhance health awareness among students through nutritious school lunches and developing safe food projects for the elderly to improve their health and reduce NCD rates. The plan is to expand these projects to elderly leaders by 2025.