Research Article: Gender-Based Determinants of Obesity among Thai Adolescent Boys and Girls
Abstract:
Understanding the determinants that influence obesity among children and adolescents is critical to the prevention of obesity and obesity-related diseases later in life. The findings presented here broaden the understanding of obesity-related challenges by adding analyses that compare nutritional indicators among boys and girls between the ages of 11 and 16 years, by exploring the more recent literature to examine if past trends have continued or not, and by synthesizing the recent findings concerning the causes and determinants of such trends in obesity. Both data from 2005 and the more recent literature review have shown that the consumption of high calorie foods and snacks, greater screen time, body image, and depressive factors play a significant role regarding obesity during adolescence in Thailand. There continues to be a trend of increasing obesity among adolescents in Thailand, and this may be more of a concern in boys. Interviews with health professionals and parents from the 2005 study suggested that girls were more aware of their physical appearance, and there was more societal acceptance to be obese as a boy in Thailand compared to girls. These findings can inform nutritional education practices and policies.
Introduction:
Defined by the joint WHO/FAO consultation as “the condition of the body resulting from the intake, absorption, and utilization of food as well as from factors of pathological significance”, the causes of poor nutritional status are multifaceted and are often the result of social, economic, and environmental factors [1,2,3,4]. Malnutrition has traditionally been concerned with issues related to nutrient deficiencies and undernutrition. However, with rates of obesity increasing worldwide, malnutrition more commonly…
Read more