Physical fitness of the applied Thai traditional medical students at faculty of medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University.

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the fitness of applied Thai traditional medical (ATTM) students thereby obtaining data to promote a greater physical fitness in ATTM students. Methods: Cardio-respiratory fitness, muscular strength, flexibility and body composition were measured in 208 ATTM students from years 1 to 4 in the academic year 2010. To determine their lifestyles, questionnaires were also answered by ATTM students. Results: Firstly, although cardio-respiratory fitness of female ATTM students was within normal limit of Thai, cardio-respiratory fitness of male ATTM students was lower than that of Thai. Secondly, muscular strength of both male and female ATTM students was lower than those of Thai. Thirdly, flexibility of ATTM students was comparable to that of Thai. Fourthly, although BMI of ATTM students was comparable to that of Thai, the average waist to hip circumference ratio of female ATTM students was higher than that of female Thai. Finally, eighty four percent of ATTM students exercised less than three times a week and fifty percent of ATTM students ate less than three meals per day, respectively. Conclusion: ATTM students need not only the training programs for cardio-respiratory fitness, and muscular strength but also need a breakfast campaign. Persuading them to pay more attention to their physical exercises and appropriate diets will eventually create the healthy ATTM practitioners in the future.

Air pollution and health impacts resulting from lignit use as fuel for tobacco curing.

Health effects of SO2 and PM10 from lignite coal burning for tobacco curing in areas of Northern Thailand is a cause of concern. A study to assess these pollutants and health impacts on villagers was undertaken. Village with/without lignite use as fuel for tobacco curing (study/control areas) were studied for air quality and health symptoms including pulmonary function test. The study was carried out prior to and during tobacco curing period. The levels of SO2 and PM10 did not exceed the National Ambient Air Quality Standards in both study and control areas. However, SO2 levels n the study area were about 10 times higher during the tobacco-curing period than prior to the period. Acute eye irritation and major airway obstruction (decline in FEV1 and PEFR) was found during the curing period. Cigarette smoking was significantly associated with upper respiratory infections including coughing, phlegm, runny and stuffed nose. Moreover, wood/charcoal cooking fuel use was also significantly associated with lower respiratory infections (wheezing or dyspnea).