showed that high caloric dietary intake significantly decreased for the obese group (P < .001). Aerobic exercise activity also increased in both groups (P < .001) and prevalence of obesity declined from 19.3% to 16.8%. Thus, a long-term, participatory effort to promote healthy diets and physical exercise could be effective with primary school students and may establish habits that last to later life.

BackgroundThe prevalence of obesity has substantially increased in the past 3 decades in both developed and developing countries and may lead to an increase in high blood pressure (BP) at an early age. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of obesity and its association with blood pressure among primary school children in central Thailand.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in two public schools in Bangkok in 2012. A total of 693 students (317 boys and 376 girls) aged 8–12 years participated voluntarily. Anthropometric measurements of weight, height, waist circumference (WC) and BP were collected. Fasting venous blood samples were obtained for biochemical analysis of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and lipid parameters. Child nutritional status was defined by body mass index (BMI) for age based on the 2000 Center for Diseases Control and Prevention growth charts. The cutoff for abdominal obesity was WC at the 75 percentile or greater. Hypertension was defined according to the 2004 Pediatrics US blood pressure reference. Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between high BP and obesity after controlling for other covariates.ResultsThe prevalence of obese children was 30.6% for boys and 12.8% for girls (mean prevalence 20.9%). Pre-hypertension (Pre-HT) was 5.7% and 2.7% for boys and girls and hypertension (HT) was 4.7% for boys and 3.2% for girls, respectively. Children with pre-HT and HT had significantly higher body weight, height, WC, BMI, SBP, DBP, TG, and TC/HDL-C levels but lower HDL-C levels than those children with normotension. After controlling for age, sex, glucose and lipid parameters, child obesity was significantly associated with pre-HT and HT (odds rations (ORs) = 9.00, 95% CI: 3.20-25.31 for pre-HT and ORs = 10.60, 95% CI: 3.75-30.00 for HT). So also was WC (abdominal obesity) when considered alone (ORs = 6.20, 95% CI: 2.60-14.81 for pre-HT and ORs = 13.73, 95% CI: 4.85-38.83 for HT) (p-value < 0.001).ConclusionsObesity among school children was positively associated with higher BP. Prevention of childhood obesity should be strengthened to prevent the risk of early high BP including cardiovascular risk factors.

Aim:  To evaluate the use of food experience, multimedia and role models for promoting fruit and vegetable consumption in kindergarten children. Methods:  A quasi‐experimental study was conducted. A Bangkok public primary school was randomly selected and one of the kindergarten levels was purposively chosen. Program implementation consisted of 11 activities over an eight‐week period from July to September, 2003. Data on demographic variables, and types and amounts of fruit and vegetables consumed and frequency of fruit and vegetables served were collected before and after the intervention. Program evaluation consisted of an analysis of the pre‐ and post‐test data. Results:  After the intervention, fruit and vegetable eating behaviour scores (median ± interquartile range) revealed significant changes from 3 ± 8 to 7 ± 8 for vegetables and 6 ± 8 to 9 ± 8 for fruit (P‐value < 0.001); the different types of consumed vegetables were increased from two to four (P‐value ≤ 0.001); and the fruit and vegetable intake was significantly increased from 53 g to 77 g and from 11 g to 23 g respectively (P‐value < 0.005). Conclusions:  Results of this pilot study were effective in increasing fruit and vegetable consumption in the kindergarten, however, longer‐term evaluation and assessment of the impact on the home environment are required. The inclusion of nutrition education and instruction on healthy eating habits in the course curriculum combined with social support from teachers and families may improve and sustain fruit and vegetable eating behaviours.

As a preliminary study, we determined the serum lipid profiles among primary school children from four Bangkok schools and identified the risk factors and their association with child lipid profiles. We conducted a cross-sectional study using fasting blood samples and food frequency questionnaires. Overall, there were 40% that had hypercholesterolemia with total cholesterol (TC) at > or = 200 mg/dl and high low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) at > or = 130 mg/dl. Overall, 5.4% had high triglyceride (TG) levels at > or = 150 mg/dl. There was no association between lipid profiles and age, gender or nutritional status, except that higher TG levels were found among obese children than others (p < 0.001). The most popular high fat foods were fried chicken, sausages and cakes, in order of preference. Results from this study indicate that Bangkok public primary school children are facing a problem with hyperlipidemia. Build up discipline in healthy eating habits, healthy food choices and physical exercise should pave the way to healthy Thai kids and growing adults with better quality of life.

BackgroundChildhood obesity has become an important public health problem in Thailand. This study aimed to determine the relationship between self discipline and obesity in Bangkok school children.MethodsA case control study was conducted. 140 cases (obese children) and 140 controls (normal weight children) were randomly chosen from grades 4-6 students in 4 Bangkok public schools. Questionnaire responses regarding general characteristics and child self-discipline were obtained from children and their parents.ResultsSelf discipline in eating habits, money management and time management were reported at significantly lower levels among the obese group (p < 0.05). After controlling all other variables, it was revealed that the ranking of factors associated with obesity by adjusted odds ratio (OR) were low self-discipline in managing expenses (3.1), poor home environment (3.0,), moderate self-discipline in time management (2.9), television viewing time ≥2 hours/day (2.6), an obese father (2.2), and an obese mother (1.9).ConclusionsIt was recommended that parents and teachers participate in child self-discipline guidance, particularly with regard to eating habits, money management and time management in a supportive environment that both facilitates prevention of obesity and simultaneously develops a child's personal control.

Background Cardiovascular diseases are the world’s leading cause of death. Children in Thailand are currently facing obesity, hyperlipidemia, and high atherogenic indices. This study aimed to assess the success of the Bright and Healthy Thai Kid project in reducing obesity and high lipid profiles among Bangkok school children. Methods A community-based, intervention (participatory action) with pre-post comparison of anthropometric and lipid profile data was conducted in five randomly selected Bangkok primary schools. The participatory action involved teachers, students, and parents. Data collection on anthropometric measurements, dietary intake, physical activity, and fasting blood samples of three generations of students was carried out during July–August (midterm months in Thailand) in the years 2004, 2017, and 2019. SPSS for Windows, version 16 was used for data analysis. Results Comparing the data from 2004, 2017, and 2019, obesity rates of 19.3 in 2004 gradually declined to 16.9 and 15.6 in 2017 and 2019 (P <  0.001). High serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-C, and atherogenic indices decreased significantly (p <  0.001). Conclusions We believe that the great time and effort expended for a campaign to reduce rates of obesity and hyperlipidemia in school children does work to prevent future cardiovascular diseases. Long-term investment in national programs is required to achieve whole societal involvement in improving knowledge and skills related to health, nutrition, and healthy food choices.

Very low birth weight (VLBW) preterm infants are vulnerable to growth restriction after discharge due to cumulative protein and energy deficits during their hospital stay and early post-discharge period. The current study evaluated the effectiveness of the preterm infant, post-discharge nutrition (PIN) program to reduce post-discharge growth restriction in Thai VLBW preterm infants. A prospective, non-randomized interventional cohort study was undertaken to assess the growth of 22 VLBW preterm infants who received the PIN program and compared them with 22 VLBW preterm infants who received conventional nutrition services. Infant’s growth was recorded monthly until the infants reached six months’ corrected age (6-moCA). Intervention infants had significantly greater body weights (p = 0.013) and head circumferences (p = 0.009). Also, a greater proportion of the intervention group recovered their weight to the standard weight at 4-moCA (p = 0.027) and at 6-moCA (p = 0.007) and their head circumference to the standard head circumference at 6-moCA (p = 0.004) compared to their historical comparison counterparts. Enlistment in the PIN program thus resulted in significantly reduced post-discharge growth restriction in VLBW preterm infants. Further research on longer term effects of the program on infant’s growth and development is warranted.

Background. Childhood obesity is an important public health crisis worldwide. The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been demonstrated to play a role in controlling energy homeostasis and cardiovascular regulation. Objectives. To examine brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels and anthropometric-cardiometabolic and hematological parameters in obese and nonobese children and to determine whether two BDNF gene polymorphisms (G196A and C270T) are linked to BDNF levels, obesity, and anthropometric-cardiometabolic and hematological parameters among Thai children. Methods. This case-control study included an analysis of 469 Thai children: 279 healthy nonobese and 190 obese children. Anthropometric-cardiometabolic and hematological variables and BDNF levels were measured. Genotyping of BDNF G196A and C270T was performed using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique. Results. Children in the obese group had significantly higher white blood cell counts and some cardiometabolic parameters. Although the difference in BDNF level between the nonobese and obese groups was not significant, BDNF level was significantly positively correlated with hematological and cardiometabolic parameters, including blood pressure, triglycerides, and triglycerides and the glucose index. The BDNF G196A polymorphism in children was only associated with decreased systolic blood pressure p < 0.05 , while the BDNF C270T polymorphism was found not to be related to BDNF levels, obesity, or other parameters after adjusting for potential covariates. Conclusions. These findings in Thai children suggest that obesity is associated with increased cardiometabolic risk factors, but not with BDNF levels or the two BDNF polymorphisms studied, while the BDNF G196A polymorphism is a beneficial marker for controlling blood pressure among Thai children.