Obesity prevalence and contributing factors among adolescents in secondary schools in Pemagatshel district, Bhutan.

Background The prevalence of obesity has increased globally, with childhood and adolescent obesity being more common in developed countries. There has been no study on teenage obesity in Bhutan. In this study, we aimed to assess the prevalence of obesity in Bhutan for the first time in order to provide a baseline for future researchers. Methods The investigation, which included 392 adolescents, aimed to identify the prevalence of overweight and obesity and its contributing factors. Anthropometric measurements, food recall and knowledge, attitude, behaviour and environment questionnaires were administered. The body mass index (BMI) cut-off points for adolescents matched with those of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Results The prevalence of overweight and obesity among the participants were 7.1% and 1.5%, respectively. The prevalence of obesity was 1.0% in females and 0.5% in males (p < 0.001). There were significant (p < 0.001) correlations between BMI and other variables; however, Pearson's χ2 test uncovered no significant associations. BMI also had no significant associations with attitude, behaviour, environment and distance travelled to school. Food recall results revealed the following findings for average food consumption: total energy intake, 3522.6 kcal; fat, 47.6 g; carbohydrate, 690.2 g; protein, 90.5 g; fibre, 20.3 g; and sodium, 12.5 g. Conclusion The results of this study clarified the prevalence of obesity among adolescents in Bhutan, who require appropriate strategies for combating overweight and obesity.

A survey of metabolic syndrome and its components in Thai medical cadets.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MS) and its components in Thai medical cadets. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study was conducted at Phramongkutklao College of Medicine. Ninety six participants (78 men and 18 women) were the healthy medical cadets class 34 who firstly enrolled as the second year medical students in the academic year 2008. Data on anthropometry, blood pressure and blood studies were collected. The MS was defined using the age-specific NCEP ATP III criteria with a modified waist circumference by WHO. RESULTS: The prevalence of the MS in the second year Thai medical students was 1.04%. The high percentage of MS components was attributed to low HDL-cholesterol and high blood pressure. In addition, the prevalence rates of one and two abnormalities of MS components were 31.25% and 8.33%, respectively. Overweight and obesity were found at the percentage of 21.88 and 15.62, respectively and significantly more prevalent among men than among women. CONCLUSION: This study shows that the metabolic syndrome exists among second year medical cadets with the prevalence of 1.04%. This group is under the military rules and regulations. Though the prevalence of MS among this group is not high, the study reveals that the prevalence of one abnormality of MS components is very high up to 31.25%. These findings call for attention for developing appropriate intervention programs for early detection and promotion of proper health behaviors and lifestyles. These programs may help to decrease the incidence and morbidity associated with cardiovascular disease and diabetes in Thai young adults.

Prevalence and patterns of alcohol consumption among Royal Thai Army personnel.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and patterns of alcohol consumption among the army personnel. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A cross-sectional study was carried out during the annual health examination between 2000 and 2001 in two army units located in the central region of Thailand. A total of 843 active duty army personnel participated in the present study. Data on demographic characteristics, smoking status and alcohol consumption were collected using a self-rating questionnaire. Drinking patterns during the past year were measured in the following aspects: frequency, quantity, binge drinking and beverage preference. RESULTS: Eight hundred and thirty-one (98.6%) studied personnel provided complete information and were included in the analysis. All were males with the mean age of 37.2 +/- 7.7 years. Five hundred and ninety-three (71.4%) study personnel were current drinkers. The majority of 57.5% drank at least five drinks per drinking day. With regard to the frequency of drinking, 10.7% reported that they drank as often as daily or nearly every day. Additionally, 22.7% had five drinks or more per drinking day at least weekly. Up to 28.2% had binge drinking or episodic heavy drinking practices. The most common type of alcoholic beverage for drinkers was mixed spirit and beer (30.7%). Only three (0.4%) personnel reported drinking wine. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that alcohol abuse becomes a significant problem among the army personnel. Most drinking patterns established among the army personnel are more likely to be harmful and unsafe to their health than beneficial effects. Thus, there is an urgent need to initiate appropriate action to prevent the harm from alcohol use and to protect the military performance and readiness.

Dietary behaviors and nutritional status of adolescents in a remote rural area of Thailand.

INTRODUCTION: Nutritional status among adolescents is an important health indicator. The up-to-date information about nutritional status and food consumption pattern in the remote rural area is required for the effective public health intervention in the rural area of the country. The present study aimed to demonstrate the prevalence of malnutrition, eating behavior and nutritional knowledge among secondary school students in a remote rural area in Thailand. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Body weight and height data were collected from 298 secondary school students for nutritional status calculation using the Institute of Nutrition Research, Mahidol University, INMU-Thaigrowth program. Eating behavior and nutritional knowledge were observed by self-administrated questionnaires. RESULTS: The prevalence low height-for-age (<-2SD) 6.1% and it was 0.7% for low weight-for-height (<-2SD). Fruits (69%) and vegetables (79.4%) consumptions were in the high level. The authors found that the students always consumed commercial snacks especially salted chips more often than regular Thai dessert (74.0% VS 52.3%). The inappropriate behavior found in the present study included always drinking caffeine beverage (43.5%), always drinking alcoholic beverage (6.5%) and always consuming instant noodles (64.4%). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of malnutrition was low among this population. The studied population had a fair knowledge about nutrition. The authoes found that regular consumption of highly commercialized snack products especially salted chips and instant noodles were at a high level in this remote rural area of Thailand. The pattern of nutritional problems in Thailand may have changed in which a public health program for children in rural areas of the country should recognize this transition.

Food service programme for promoting healthy nutrition among medical cadets of Phramongkutklao College of Medicine: a preliminary study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the patterns of food services and to determine the kinds and frequencies of food items served to the medical cadets. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Menu records of the meals served to the medical cadets at a mess hall of Phramongkutklao College of Medicine were retrospectively reviewed, covering the period of one month of the academic year 2004. The menus were analysed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Sixty-five medical cadets participated in the food service programme by setting their own menus. The programme provided three main meals a day. In August, the studied month, it was found that some selected menus were not suitable. Only two types of foods of carbohydrate sources were used. The predominant one was milled rice (87 meals or 93.5%). At least 5 meals (5.4%) did not serve vegetables at all. As for fresh fruits, up to 16 days (51.6%) they were not served. CONCLUSION: The food service programme is a strength point for promoting healthy nutrition to medical cadets in this setting. Involvement of medical cadets by setting up their own menus can reflect very clearly undesirable eating habits. Thus, appropriate involvement of medical cadets can be a good means to help them acquire knowledge and skills in healthy nutrition practices.

Energy and nutrients intake of Thai active duty army personnel at the Army Special Warfare Command Unit.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the daily energy and nutrient intake of the active duty army personnel at the Army Special Warfare Command (SWC) Unit during home stations. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A cross-sectional survey was carried out at the SWC unit in Lopburi province, Central region of Thailand. One hundred and eight personnel, who were at home stations, volunteered for participation in the present study. Three-day food records were used for evaluating nutrient intakes. Dietary data were analysed using the Nutritionist III programme and expressed as mean and standard deviation. RESULTS: All 108 active duty army personnel were men with the mean age of 37.0 years (SD 7.4). The mean actual energy intake was 2,304 kcal/day (SD 645), which accounted for 109% of Dietary Reference Intake for Thais (DRI). Most mean intakes of vitamins and minerals were above DRI levels, including vitamin A, vitamin B2, niacin, vitamin C, and iron. However, their average intakes of vitamin B1 and calcium were lower. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated the undesirable intake patterns which may become significant when intakes occur routinely or extend to longer periods and can adversely affect military readiness as well as health. Further improvements in dietary intake for these personnel are needed.