Ten million Thais risk health problems from being overweight

BANGKOK (AFP) - Up to 10 million Thais could face health problems from being overweight, a deputy health minister warned.

"There are about 13.0 percent of the population, or 10 million people, who could become overweight or fat, which is a real concern," Anuthin Charnveerakul said Sunday in a statement publishing the results of a major health survey.

The poll of 41 million Thais aged between 13 and 59 -- the largest of its kind in five years -- found 49.0 percent or 20.1 million people were underweight while 12.0 percent or 4.9 million people were overweight.

A further 39.0 percent of people polled or 15 million people were considered of "average weight", while women were more likely to develop overweight-related health problems than men, a health ministry statement said.

Those aged 40-49 were especially at risk over health problems from being overweight, as such people gained weight easier than older age groups and did little or no exercise, the statement said.

The health ministry gave no details of when the survey was performed or how.

A campaign to trim the waistlines of 82 overweight Bangkok traffic cops was last month declared a success as the officers shed a total of 567.6 kilos (1,251 pounds), or an average 6.8 kilos each.

The men signed up for the program in June to avoid being shifted to desk jobs as punishment.

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