With obesity rates among Thai children soaring, Nongprue Sub-district is pushing local children to eat better.
Kanita Wilaisut, a nutritionist from Banglamung Hospital, and health lecturer Arunpan Chatnampetch spoke to students and teachers at Wat Sultanas School Jan. 26 about how to lose weight and eat healthier.
Thailand has the second-highest obesity rate in Southeast Asia according to a November survey by The Economist Intelligence Unit. The Thai Public Health Ministry said last year that 13.3 of Thai children are considered obese and United Nations said the obesity rate among preschool children has more than doubled to 12.4 percent since its last survey.
The speakers stressed the importance of good eating habits so youths are aware of unhealthy foods and products containing a lot of sugar. They were taught about nutrients that the body needs to consume on a daily basis and what to avoid so that their bodies will grow properly and remain healthy.
They said Thailand is now overrun with fast-food chains and, along with the easy access to candy and other sweets, kids now don’t eat as well as they used to.
In addition to discussing nutritional needs, the health experts stressed the need for exercise to burn calories and the need to maintain an active lifestyle, including setting goals to prevent obesity.
