THAILAND: Public Health Ministry Persuades Thais to Fight Obesity

. BANGKOK, Thailand / Thai ASEAN News Network / April 1, 2009 The Ministry of Public Health is working to persuade Thais to fight obesity, under a campaign called “Get in the Water, Rid the Waist, Reduce Global Warming” to make a Guinness World Record. Assistant Public Health Minister Manid Nopamornbodee says he has invited 2,009 people over 10 years old, both Thais and foreigners, to join the campaign, “Get in the Water, Rid the Waist, Reduce Global Warming”. The move is aimed to reduce major diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, angina, and stroke. The activity involves 30 minutes of exercising in the water, to break a Guinness World Record. The event will take place from 4pm to 6pm on April 25 at Pattaya beach. There will also be an exhibition on obesity that will deal with how to get started with a weight loss plan, including a behavioural plan, a diet menu, and health check-ups. Manid said Thailand is likely to see increasing numbers of obesity due to eating behaviours and less consumption of vegetables and fruits. Over the past 10 years, the percentage of obese people in Thailand has raised steadily. A group including 20-29 year olds' weight has increased by 21.7 per cent. A group including 40-49 year olds' weight has increased by 1.7 per cent. The waistline of 34 per cent of men is over 90 centimetres and of 58 per cent of women is over 80 centimetres. This statistic shows that people are at risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, or hypertension, and angina and stroke. Manid also noted that with ever 5 centimetres the waistline increase, the risk of diabetes increases by 3 to 5 times. President of the Royal College of Physicians of Thailand, Doctor Somwang Danchaiwichit said that exercising in the water is suitable for people who are overweight, those who have a problem with osteoarthritis, and for the elderly. Water helps to support the body and reduce its heat. Moreover, it increases the strength of the breathing system and reduces backaches. 2009 © TAN Network