Over Half of Bangkok's Residents Classified as Overweight Amid Growing Health Concerns
Public health forum reveals alarming obesity statistics, prompting city officials to take action against rising health crises.
Recent statistics indicate that over half of Bangkok's residents are classified as overweight, a situation described as alarming by city authorities.
These findings were presented during a public health forum organized by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) in conjunction with the Danish Embassy and Novo Nordisk Pharma (Thailand).
Associate Professor Thavida Kamolvej, Deputy Governor of Bangkok, revealed that health checks conducted on over 789,000 Bangkokians demonstrated troubling trends in public health.
High cholesterol emerged as the primary health concern, closely followed by diabetes.
The prevalence of obesity is particularly severe in the capital, exceeding the national average.
Approximately 58% of those examined were identified as overweight, with the majority being individuals aged 50 and over.
Notably, 68% of BMA civil servants also exceeded healthy BMI levels.
The statistics for schoolchildren are equally concerning; among more than 220,000 pupils across 437 BMA schools, 21.65% were classified as overweight or faced related health issues, with primary school children exhibiting the highest rates.
Associate Professor Thavida attributed these health issues to a pronounced 'work-life imbalance' prevalent among many city residents, explaining that the pressures of continuous work and the inaccessibility of healthy food options contribute to poor dietary choices.
She noted the excessive sodium content in widely available foods, which has been linked to a rise in kidney disease cases.
In response to the health crisis, the BMA announced initiatives to promote a healthier urban lifestyle.
An allocation of over 50 million baht was directed towards public health screenings last year, and the BMA has partnered with the National Health Security Office (NHSO) to facilitate additional screening costs, enabling better data collection on public health.
The BMA is also focusing on enhancing walkability in the city, with 1,100 kilometers of footpaths currently constructed or upgraded.
Additionally, the BMA introduced the 'Run Around the City' programme—free running events of 3k, 5k, and 10k distances—aiming to encourage fitness among residents.
These events have already attracted over 8,000 participants, with ambitions to engage 50,000 runners across all 50 districts of Bangkok.
The public health forum also featured experts such as Dr. Petch Rawdaree, President of the Thai NCDs Network Association, and Associate Professor Dr. Dilok Piyayotai, who emphasized the severe ramifications of obesity on both individual health and the broader public health infrastructure and economy.
Discussions underscored an urgent need for effective policies tailored to combat rising obesity rates, particularly in urban settings.
The importance of collaboration between government entities and the private sector was highlighted as crucial for meaningful change.
Enrico Cañal Bruland, General Manager of Novo Nordisk Pharma (Thailand), articulated the necessity of partnerships among various stakeholders to effectively address the obesity crisis.
The World Health Organization categorizes obesity as a chronic disease of significant concern, noting that over 40% of Thailand’s population is classified as overweight or obese.
This rising trend contributes to a host of severe non-communicable diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, and chronic kidney disease.
The economic implications of obesity are also pronounced, inflicting substantial costs on the healthcare system and national productivity.
In 2019, economic losses attributed to obesity were estimated at over 1.2% of Thailand's GDP, a figure anticipated to potentially escalate to 5% by 2060 without proactive interventions.
Dr. Panumas Yanawetsakul, Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, reaffirmed the Ministry of Public Health's commitment to addressing non-communicable diseases through collaborative efforts.
Dr. Supavud Saicheua, Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister, echoed the necessity of teamwork between government and private sectors in addressing public health challenges.
His Excellency Danny Annan, the Danish Ambassador to Thailand, highlighted the global nature of the obesity epidemic and the need for international cooperation, referencing Novo Nordisk's pivotal role in obesity management globally.
The forum served as a pivotal platform for discussing both national and international strategies to combat obesity, emphasizing the immediacy of policy enactment and public-private partnerships in fostering sustainable progress.
These findings were presented during a public health forum organized by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) in conjunction with the Danish Embassy and Novo Nordisk Pharma (Thailand).
Associate Professor Thavida Kamolvej, Deputy Governor of Bangkok, revealed that health checks conducted on over 789,000 Bangkokians demonstrated troubling trends in public health.
High cholesterol emerged as the primary health concern, closely followed by diabetes.
The prevalence of obesity is particularly severe in the capital, exceeding the national average.
Approximately 58% of those examined were identified as overweight, with the majority being individuals aged 50 and over.
Notably, 68% of BMA civil servants also exceeded healthy BMI levels.
The statistics for schoolchildren are equally concerning; among more than 220,000 pupils across 437 BMA schools, 21.65% were classified as overweight or faced related health issues, with primary school children exhibiting the highest rates.
Associate Professor Thavida attributed these health issues to a pronounced 'work-life imbalance' prevalent among many city residents, explaining that the pressures of continuous work and the inaccessibility of healthy food options contribute to poor dietary choices.
She noted the excessive sodium content in widely available foods, which has been linked to a rise in kidney disease cases.
In response to the health crisis, the BMA announced initiatives to promote a healthier urban lifestyle.
An allocation of over 50 million baht was directed towards public health screenings last year, and the BMA has partnered with the National Health Security Office (NHSO) to facilitate additional screening costs, enabling better data collection on public health.
The BMA is also focusing on enhancing walkability in the city, with 1,100 kilometers of footpaths currently constructed or upgraded.
Additionally, the BMA introduced the 'Run Around the City' programme—free running events of 3k, 5k, and 10k distances—aiming to encourage fitness among residents.
These events have already attracted over 8,000 participants, with ambitions to engage 50,000 runners across all 50 districts of Bangkok.
The public health forum also featured experts such as Dr. Petch Rawdaree, President of the Thai NCDs Network Association, and Associate Professor Dr. Dilok Piyayotai, who emphasized the severe ramifications of obesity on both individual health and the broader public health infrastructure and economy.
Discussions underscored an urgent need for effective policies tailored to combat rising obesity rates, particularly in urban settings.
The importance of collaboration between government entities and the private sector was highlighted as crucial for meaningful change.
Enrico Cañal Bruland, General Manager of Novo Nordisk Pharma (Thailand), articulated the necessity of partnerships among various stakeholders to effectively address the obesity crisis.
The World Health Organization categorizes obesity as a chronic disease of significant concern, noting that over 40% of Thailand’s population is classified as overweight or obese.
This rising trend contributes to a host of severe non-communicable diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, and chronic kidney disease.
The economic implications of obesity are also pronounced, inflicting substantial costs on the healthcare system and national productivity.
In 2019, economic losses attributed to obesity were estimated at over 1.2% of Thailand's GDP, a figure anticipated to potentially escalate to 5% by 2060 without proactive interventions.
Dr. Panumas Yanawetsakul, Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, reaffirmed the Ministry of Public Health's commitment to addressing non-communicable diseases through collaborative efforts.
Dr. Supavud Saicheua, Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister, echoed the necessity of teamwork between government and private sectors in addressing public health challenges.
His Excellency Danny Annan, the Danish Ambassador to Thailand, highlighted the global nature of the obesity epidemic and the need for international cooperation, referencing Novo Nordisk's pivotal role in obesity management globally.
The forum served as a pivotal platform for discussing both national and international strategies to combat obesity, emphasizing the immediacy of policy enactment and public-private partnerships in fostering sustainable progress.
