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. 2019 Apr 30;6(1):13.
doi: 10.1186/s40779-019-0201-1.

Trends in the prevalence of obesity among young Thai men and associated factors: from 2009 to 2016

Panadda Hatthachote  1 , Ram Rangsin  2 , Mathirut Mungthin  3 , Boonsub Sakboonyarat  4
Affiliations

Trends in the prevalence of obesity among young Thai men and associated factors: from 2009 to 2016

Panadda Hatthachote et al. Mil Med Res. .

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of obesity has been increasing in both males and females worldwide. In Thailand, the National Health Examination Surveys reported that the prevalence of obesity (body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2) among Thai male adults aged 20-59 years increased from 1.7% in 1991 to 6.8% in 2009. Obesity has been confirmed to lead to health problems, including noncommunicable diseases. In the present study, we report trends in the prevalence of obesity among new conscripts from 2009 to 2016. We also investigated the associated factors of obesity.

Methods: Serial cross-sectional studies were conducted from 2009 to 2016 among male Royal Thai Army (RTA) conscripts whose weight and height had been measured to determine BMI after being inducted. Each subject completed a detailed risk factor questionnaire. Obesity was defined as BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2.

Results: A total of 26,540 young Thai males conscripted into the RTA were included in this study. The prevalence of obesity was 2.2% in 2009, 3.4% in 2010, 2.5% in 2011, 2.9% in 2012, 3.4% in 2013, 4.4% in 2014, 5.0% in 2015, and 4.8% in 2016 (P for trend < 0.0001). The independent risk factors for obesity were coming from the north central and south regions compared with the northeast, higher education level, indoor occupation and no regular exercise.

Conclusions: Our data emphasized that obesity constitutes a serious problem among young Thai men. We could apply these findings in military units to other groups at any age. Regular exercise should be provided to young adults and other age groups to slow the process of obesity, so that associated complications, especially noncommunicable diseases, will cease.

Keywords: Obesity; Prevalence; Thailand; The Royal Thai Army; Trends; Young men.

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Conflict of interest statement

Ethics approval and consent to participate

The data of this study were retrieved from the database: a Surveillance in Heat Related Illness in Basic Military Training among new conscripts of the Royal Thai Army (HRI-RTA) after obtaining permission from the Military Medicine Research Unit of Phramongkutklao College of Medicine. The present study was reviewed and approved by the Royal Thai Army Medical Department Institutional Review Board.

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Prevalence of obesity by area of residence among young Thai men, from 2009 to 2016. *P for trend
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Average body mass index (BMI) by area of residence (a) and education level (b) among young Thai men, from 2009 to 2016. *P for trend
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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