Obesity, diabetes threat hits students

More than one in three secondary school students and one in five primary school students in Bangkok are overweight, according to a survey by the Office of Private Education Commission (Opec) and Thai Health Promotion Foundation.

The survey, conducted among 4,200 students at seven schools, found that 36% of secondary school students and 19.6% of pupils at primary level were obese.

The survey calculated their age and body mass index.

Some 60% of children in the survey were also found to have high blood lipids, or fatty substances found in the blood, putting them at high risk of getting diabetes.

Opec’s secretary-general Payom Chinnawong said students are not getting enough exercise, with the rise of PCs and smartphones posing an increasing risk to their health.

About half the students surveyed said they spend more than two hours a day sitting in front of computers, laptops, tablets, video games or simply sitting in front of the television.

Respondents spent less than 60 minutes a day on average engaged in some form of physical activity.

“The results of our survey are worrying because childhood obesity puts them at risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, respiratory and orthopedic problems,” Mr Payom said.

“As they carry this extra weight into adult life, their risk of contracting a chronic disease increases.”

Mr Payom urged schools and parents to take a bigger role in the long-term health of children by creating environments conducive to physical activity and encouraging a healthier diet.

“We could have much more activity at schools and homes,” he said.

“School canteens should not serve junk food, or food that is full of sugar and fat.

“We need to minimise the risk of these young adults growing up to have serious health problems,” he added.

Meanwhile, a survey by the National Statistical Office (NSO) found that children in Thailand’s southernmost provinces are the most malnourished in the country.

According to the NSO, children under five in Narathiwat, Yala, Pattani, Satun and Songkhla provinces are far more likely to experience stunted growth because of prolonged malnutrition.