10million Thais at risk of health problems

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10 million Thais at risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease

 

BANGKOK, April 3 (TNA) - An estimated 10 million Thai people are now at risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease, according to caretaker Public Health Deputy Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

 

Mr. Anutin said the top three diseases causing ailments to the Thai people are high blood pressure--which currently affects over 265,000 Thais, diabetes (which affectes more than 247,000 persons), and heart attacks and coronary heart disease with at least 242,000 persons affected.

 

Most illnesses stemmed from improper daily eating and exercise behaviour, especially diets with overconsumption of high fat and too few vegetables, and a lack of regular exercise, the deputy minister

said.

 

The ailments caused by the three diseases tend to be continually on the rise due to the fact that most Thai people continue their risky behaviour without change, despite the advice of medical and dietary

specialists.

 

As many as another 10 million Thai people are at risk of the three top-ranking diseases now, he said.

 

Regarding major causes of death for Thais, Mr. Anutin said that cancer, accidents, and heart disease remained at the top of the chart, killing almost 46,000 persons, 31,000 persons and over 16,000 persons

respectively each year.

 

According to the minister, the statistics for 2004 indicate that only one in four -- 23 per cent of the Thai population aged 11 upwards habitually exercise daily for 30 minutes ast three days a week, while

another 77 per cent do not, mainly saying that they have insufficient time to exercise.

 

To encourage Thai people to exercise more and change their unhealthy behaviour to life-enhancing lifestyles, the Ministry of Public Health supports the establishment of health clubs nationwide. There are

currently more than 40,000 health clubs with some 7 million members in the kingdom. (TNA)-E009