Thailand
- Overview
- Obesity prevalence
- Trends over time
- Contextual factors
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National obesity risk *8/10This is a composite ‘obesity risk’ score (out of 10, the highest risk) based on obesity prevalence, rate of increase, likelihood of meeting the 2025 target, treatment indicator and childhood stunting levels.Childhood obesity risk *7/11This is a ‘risk score’ for each country’s likelihood of having or acquiring a major childhood obesity problem during the 2020s, taking account of current prevalence levels and risk for future obesity (based on stunting among infants, maternal obesity, maternal smoking, and breastfeeding rates).
Obesity prevalence
Trends over time
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The report card collates all the most-recent graphics for this country. If you would like to produce a custom report based on selected graphics, just tap the Add to custom PDF button below the graphics you would like to use.Population breakdowns
Drivers
Insufficient activity
Soft drink consumption
Fruit consumption
Vegetable consumption
Fast food consumption
Processed meat consumption
Grains consumption
Depression
Anxiety
Roots of obesity »
Like all chronic diseases, the root causes/drivers of obesity are complex. Select here to view 'other' root causes/drivers.Breastfeeding
Comorbidities
Economic impact
Policies
Contextual factors
Obesity prevalence
Adults, 2018
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 15+ |
| Sample size: | 627 |
| Area covered: | Regional |
| References: | Sakboonyarat, B., Pornpongsawad, C., Sangkool, T. et al. Trends, prevalence and associated factors of obesity among adults in a rural community in Thailand: serial cross-sectional surveys, 2012 and 2018. BMC Public Health 20, 850 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-09004-w |
| Notes: | NB Small regional survey NOT NATIONAL |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2014
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 20+ |
| Sample size: | 15663 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Yan LD, Hanvoravongchai P, Aekplakorn W, Chariyalertsak S, Kessomboon P, Assanangkornchai S, et al. (2020) Universal coverage but unmet need: National and regional estimates of attrition across the diabetes care continuum in Thailand. PLoS ONE 15(1):e0226286. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0226286 |
| Notes: | Adults aged 20 and older with a fasting plasma glucose were included. |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2009
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 20+ |
| Sample size: | 19181 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Wichai Aekplakorn, Rungkarn Inthawong, Pattapong Kessomboon, et al., Prevalence and Trends of Obesity and Association with Socioeconomic Status in Thai Adults: National Health Examination Surveys, 1991–2009, Journal of Obesity, vol. 2014, Article ID 410259, 8 pages, 2014. doi:10.1155/2014/410259 |
| Notes: | In this graph, overweight refers to BMI 25–<30, and obesity as BMI ≥30 kg/m2 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2004
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 18+ |
| Sample size: | 39290 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Aekplakorn W and Mo-Suwan L. (2009). National prevalence of obesity. Prevalence of obesity in Thailand. Obesity Reviews, 10: 589 - 592. |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2003-2005
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 19+ |
| Sample size: | 7279 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Jitnarin N, Kosulwat V, Rojroongwasinkul N et al. Prevalence of overweight and obesity in Thai population: Results of the National Thai Food Consumption Survey. 2011;16:e242-e249 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 2000
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 35+ |
| Sample size: | 5350 |
| References: | http://www.fnri.dost.gov.ph/files/fnri%20files/nns/factsandfigures2003/anthropometric.pdf last accessed June 14th 2011 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 1997
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 20-59 |
| Sample size: | 3220 |
| References: | Aekplakorn W, Chaiyapong Y, Neal B, Chariyalertsak W, Kunanusont C, Phoolcharoen W, Suriyawongpaisal P. Prevalence and Determinants of Overweight and Obesity in Thai Adults: Results of the Second National Health Examination Survey. J Med Asssoc Thai 2004;87(6):685-93 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Adults, 1985
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 35-54 |
| Sample size: | 3495 |
| Area covered: | Regional |
| References: | Tanphaichitr V, Kulapongse S, Pakpeankitvatana R, et al. Prevalence of obesity and its associated risks in urban Thais. In: Oomura Y, Tarui S, Inoue S, Shimazu T, eds. Progress in obesity research, 1990 London: Libbey, 1991:649-53 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Children, 2021
| Survey type: | Self-reported |
| Age: | 13-17 |
| Sample size: | 5661 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | 2021 GSHS Fact Sheet Thailand. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/ncds/ncd-surveillance/data-reporting/thailand/2021_thailand_gshs_fact_sheetada1f3cd-2ee4-4258-a01f-b40873aaf988.pdf?sfvrsn=be5c3553_1&download=true |
| Cutoffs: | BMI-for-age-sex |
Children, 2016
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 6-18 |
| Sample size: | 1749 |
| Area covered: | Regional |
| References: | Nonboonyawat T, Pusanasuwannasri W, Chanrat N, Wongthanavimok N, Tubngern D, Panutrakul P, Mungthin M, Nivesvivat T, Hatthachote P, Rangsin R, Piyaraj P. (2019) 'Prevalence and associates of obesity and overweight among school-age children in a rural community of Thailand.' Korean J Pediatr. doi: 10.3345/kjp.2018.06499. |
| Notes: | WHO cut-offs used. |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
Children, 2015
| Survey type: | Self-reported |
| Age: | 13-17 |
| Sample size: | 5894 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Global School-based Student Health Survey Thailand 2015 Fact Sheet https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/gshs/2015-Thailand-GSHS-Fact-Sheet.pdf?ua=1 (last accessed 24.11.20) |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
Children, 2008
| Survey type: | Self-reported |
| Age: | 13-15 |
| Sample size: | 2767 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Global School-based Student Health Survey Thailand 2008 Fact Sheethttps://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/gshs/2008_Thailand_fact_sheet.pdf?ua=1 (last accessed 24.11.20) |
| Cutoffs: | WHO |
Children, 2003-2005
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 3-18 |
| Sample size: | 9287 |
| Area covered: | National |
| References: | Jitnarin N, Kosulwat V, Rojroongwasinkul N et al. Prevalence of overweight and obesity in Thai population: Results of the National Thai Food Consumption Survey. 2011;16:e242-e249 |
| Cutoffs: | IOTF |
Children, 1997
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 5-15 |
| Sample size: | 1290 |
| Area covered: | Regional |
| References: | Mo-Suwan L, Tongkumchum P, Puetpaiboon A. Determinants of overweight tracking from childhood to adolescence: a 5 y follow-up study of Hat Yai schoolchildren. International Journal of Obesity (2000) 24, 164-1647 |
| Notes: | Urban 85th Centile NHANES |
| Cutoffs: | Other |
Children, 1992
| Survey type: | Measured |
| Age: | 5-16 |
| Sample size: | 2252 |
| Area covered: | Regional |
| References: | Mo-suwan L, Tongkumchum P and Puetpaiboon A. Determinants of overweight tracking from childhood to adolescence: a 5 year follow up study of Hat Yai schoolchildren. IJO 2000;24:1642-1647 |
| Notes: | Hat Yai municipality, southern Thailand Child Cut-Off point: 85th Centile NHANES (see paper for further details) |
| Cutoffs: | Other |
% Adults living with obesity, 1997-2014
Men
| Survey type: | Measured |
| References: | 1997: Aekplakorn W, Chaiyapong Y, Neal B, Chariyalertsak W, Kunanusont C, Phoolcharoen W, Suriyawongpaisal P. Prevalence and Determinants of Overweight and Obesity in Thai Adults: Results of the Second National Health Examination Survey. J Med Asssoc Thai 2004;87(6):685-93 2003: Jitnarin N, Kosulwat V, Rojroongwasinkul N et al. Prevalence of overweight and obesity in Thai population: Results of the National Thai Food Consumption Survey. 2011;16:e242-e249 2004: Aekplakorn W and Mo-Suwan L. (2009). National prevalence of obesity. Prevalence of obesity in Thailand. Obesity Reviews, 10: 589 - 592. 2009: Wichai Aekplakorn, Rungkarn Inthawong, Pattapong Kessomboon, et al., Prevalence and Trends of Obesity and Association with Socioeconomic Status in Thai Adults: National Health Examination Surveys, 1991–2009, Journal of Obesity, vol. 2014, Article ID 410259, 8 pages, 2014. doi:10.1155/2014/410259 2014: Yan LD, Hanvoravongchai P, Aekplakorn W, Chariyalertsak S, Kessomboon P, Assanangkornchai S, et al. (2020) Universal coverage but unmet need: National and regional estimates of attrition across the diabetes care continuum in Thailand. PLoS ONE 15(1):e0226286. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0226286 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
| Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. | |
Women
| Survey type: | Measured |
| References: | 1997: Aekplakorn W, Chaiyapong Y, Neal B, Chariyalertsak W, Kunanusont C, Phoolcharoen W, Suriyawongpaisal P. Prevalence and Determinants of Overweight and Obesity in Thai Adults: Results of the Second National Health Examination Survey. J Med Asssoc Thai 2004;87(6):685-93 2003: Jitnarin N, Kosulwat V, Rojroongwasinkul N et al. Prevalence of overweight and obesity in Thai population: Results of the National Thai Food Consumption Survey. 2011;16:e242-e249 2004: Aekplakorn W and Mo-Suwan L. (2009). National prevalence of obesity. Prevalence of obesity in Thailand. Obesity Reviews, 10: 589 - 592. 2009: Wichai Aekplakorn, Rungkarn Inthawong, Pattapong Kessomboon, et al., Prevalence and Trends of Obesity and Association with Socioeconomic Status in Thai Adults: National Health Examination Surveys, 1991–2009, Journal of Obesity, vol. 2014, Article ID 410259, 8 pages, 2014. doi:10.1155/2014/410259 2014: Yan LD, Hanvoravongchai P, Aekplakorn W, Chariyalertsak S, Kessomboon P, Assanangkornchai S, et al. (2020) Universal coverage but unmet need: National and regional estimates of attrition across the diabetes care continuum in Thailand. PLoS ONE 15(1):e0226286. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0226286 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
| Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. | |
% Adults living with overweight or obesity, 2003-2014
Men
| Survey type: | Measured |
| References: | 2003: Jitnarin N, Kosulwat V, Rojroongwasinkul N et al. Prevalence of overweight and obesity in Thai population: Results of the National Thai Food Consumption Survey. 2011;16:e242-e249 2004: Aekplakorn W and Mo-Suwan L. (2009). National prevalence of obesity. Prevalence of obesity in Thailand. Obesity Reviews, 10: 589 - 592. 2009: Wichai Aekplakorn, Rungkarn Inthawong, Pattapong Kessomboon, et al., Prevalence and Trends of Obesity and Association with Socioeconomic Status in Thai Adults: National Health Examination Surveys, 1991–2009, Journal of Obesity, vol. 2014, Article ID 410259, 8 pages, 2014. doi:10.1155/2014/410259 2014: Yan LD, Hanvoravongchai P, Aekplakorn W, Chariyalertsak S, Kessomboon P, Assanangkornchai S, et al. (2020) Universal coverage but unmet need: National and regional estimates of attrition across the diabetes care continuum in Thailand. PLoS ONE 15(1):e0226286. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0226286 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
| Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. | |
Women
| Survey type: | Measured |
| References: | 2003: Jitnarin N, Kosulwat V, Rojroongwasinkul N et al. Prevalence of overweight and obesity in Thai population: Results of the National Thai Food Consumption Survey. 2011;16:e242-e249 2004: Aekplakorn W and Mo-Suwan L. (2009). National prevalence of obesity. Prevalence of obesity in Thailand. Obesity Reviews, 10: 589 - 592. 2009: Wichai Aekplakorn, Rungkarn Inthawong, Pattapong Kessomboon, et al., Prevalence and Trends of Obesity and Association with Socioeconomic Status in Thai Adults: National Health Examination Surveys, 1991–2009, Journal of Obesity, vol. 2014, Article ID 410259, 8 pages, 2014. doi:10.1155/2014/410259 2014: Yan LD, Hanvoravongchai P, Aekplakorn W, Chariyalertsak S, Kessomboon P, Assanangkornchai S, et al. (2020) Universal coverage but unmet need: National and regional estimates of attrition across the diabetes care continuum in Thailand. PLoS ONE 15(1):e0226286. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0226286 |
| Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
| Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. | |
