July/16/2025
Sunisa Thammaphrot
Meanwhile, Thai society still pays attention to infectious diseases such as influenza or even COVID-19. Chronic health problems that are quietly latent such as "overweight and obesity". It is becoming a national health crisis that can no longer be ignored. Both consumption behavior. Processed foods and reduced mobility. Many Thai people are unknowingly entering a state of increasing risk of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Overview of the situation in Thailand
According to the Health Systems Research Institute (HSRI)]: Thai Public Health Survey by Physical Examination No . 6 2019-2020. It was found that 42.4 percent of Thai people aged 15 years and over (37.8 percent of men and 46.4 percent of women) Obesity (BMI ≥25 kg/m2)
Figure_1 Obesity in Thai people aged 15 years and above by age group
Obesity (BMI) ≥25 kg/m2) by region, the prevalence of obesity is highest in the Central Region and Bangkok, followed by the South, while the Northeast and North have similar proportions.
Figure 2: Obesity by Region
Thailand ranked third in terms of obesity, behind only Brunei and Malaysia in ASEAN region.
Thailand ranks at the top of ASEAN has the highest obesity rate in adults[SH2.1][ST2.2], ranking 3rd in ASEAN. After Brunei and Malaysia.
According to a report from the WHO, Thailand is entering an "obesity epidemic", like many other countries.
The first three countries are Brunei, Malaysia and Thailand, respectively.
Figure 3 Incidence of obesity in each ASEAN country.
Projected costs of obesity in Thailand
Obesity is a problem that severely affects Thailand's economy, not only as a health problem but also as a direct and indirect financial burden.
Direct costs, such as the cost of treatment for obesity-related diseases. It was estimated in 2019 that it was up to 280,000 million baht. Or 1.5% of GDP, while indirect costs, such as absence and premature death, are worth more than 6,500 million baht. In 2012 and the trend continues to increase.
Figure 4 Total cost of expenditure per capita ( in 2019 US dollars)
The problem of obesity in Thailand and ASEAN countries has been increasing steadily over the years. This is mainly due to changes in consumption and lifestyle habits.
1. Inappropriate food consumption
consume high-energy foods such as fried foods. Processed foods More sweets, sweets, and fast food. Meanwhile, the consumption of fruits and vegetables tends to decrease.
2. Lack of physical activity
most people have little physical activity. Living a more sedentary lifestyle, especially among urban and working people.
3. Urban lifestyle and marketing
Urbanization and technology have resulted in people having access to convenient food, but lack of nutritional control, as well as widespread advertising of unhealthy foods
4. Psychological factors and stress behaviors
Stress, insufficient rest and depression affect the behavior of eating more than necessary
Obesity is a health problem that is aggravating in Thailand and ASEAN countries. Especially among children and youth. Thailand has the third highest rate of obesity in ASEAN, and among adults, more than one-third are overweight or obese.
Figure 5 Information from : World Health Organization
Solutions to the problem of obesity at the Thai government level , Year 2025
In 2025, the Thai government focused on the prevention and control of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including obesity, with the main goal of reducing the premature death rate from NCDs to no more than 11 percent by 2027.
The key measures taken are as follows:
• Promote changes in people's health behaviors
such as choosing all 5 food groups. Increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables, reduce starch, sugar, fat, and avoid alcoholic beverages.
• Increase physical activity to encourage people to exercise regularly. To control weight and reduce the risk of obesity.
In terms of policy.
• The government has Pushing the Non-Communicable Diseases Bill to systematically control NCDs. There are clear and sustainable health protection measures.
• In addition, it also encourages educational institutions to develop canteens into "Healthy Canteens" to cultivate good consumption habits from childhood.
Currently, the problem of obesity in Thailand is continuously increasing, with the main cause being a change in lifestyle that focuses more on convenience, resulting in people having less physical activity, while access to high-energy foods such as processed foods, sweetened water and fast food is easy, especially when there is a lack of knowledge about proper nutrition.
In addition, food advertising and marketing that focuses on attractiveness often targets children and young people continuously. Obesity is therefore a problem that is caused by many factors that are linked both at the individual, family and social level. Solving this problem should therefore be carried out in a systematic and sustainable manner, relying on cooperation from all sectors.
References
1. https://www.hsri.or.th/printed-matter/399
2. https://data.who.int/indicators/i/C6262EC/BEFA58B?m49=096
3. https://secretary.prd.go.th/th/content/category/detail/id/9/iid/370261
4. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8487190/