NCDs burden healthcare, cut economic growth

The Department of Health Promotion (DHPS) has raised concerns over the nation's dietary habits, highlighting the risk of Thais picking up non-communicable diseases (NCDs) due to excessive consumption of sweet, salty and fatty foods.

- APINYA WIPATAYOTIN

Dr Panuwat Panket, director-general of DHPS of the Public Health Ministry, said a nationwide survey in February among 52,000 participants revealed alarming trends in Thai eating behaviour. Thais regularly exceed recommended intakes of sugar, fat and sodium, he said.

Some 51% of respondents consume sweet foods or drinks, such as sugary beverages, iced milk tea, iced coffee and fruit juices, three or more times per week. Nearly 46% regularly eat high-fat foods, including fried dishes, stir-fries and fast food; and about 50% consume salty foods like som tam (papaya salad), yam (spicy salads) and larb (spicy minced meat salad) at least three times weekly.