Thailand’s Leadership in the Fight Against Obesity

Obesity has silently crept into households around the globe, reaching epidemic proportions. It is  not just about waistlines anymore; it's about lives. Imagine a world where over 1 billion adults will be obese by 2030—a staggering forecast that has set alarm bells ringing in countries like Thailand.

In recent years, Thailand is facing an escalating obesity trend that threatens the health of its future generations. Consider this: in the span of just two decades, the rate of obesity in school children has surged from 5.8% to 15%. The situation among adults is equally alarming, with 42% falling into the obese category by 2020. Such statistics are not merely numbers; they represent a myriad of risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and possible complications that will impact wellbeing and quality of life. NCDs  such as type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, hypertension, and stroke claim 400,000 lives annually and account for 74% of all deaths in Thailand.

The economic toll of overweight and obesity in Thailand is estimated at 281 billion baht annually, equivalent to 4,000 baht per capita —roughly 1.5% of Thailand’s GDP in 2019. That is a significant slice of the economic pie, but the human cost, the lives impacted by noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), is far more profound.

Recognizing the urgent need for action, Thailand has taken bold and innovative steps to curb this epidemic. Leading the movement for NCD prevention and control is H.E. Mr. Somsak Thepsutin, the Minister of Public Health. On World Obesity Day 2025,  Mr. Thepsutin underscored the pervasive impact of obesity on Thai society. “Obesity affects every facet of life—physical, mental, social, and economic and increases the risk of NCDs. It is a pressing public health issue that needs immediate attention,” he declared.

Under his leadership, the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) has rolled out a comprehensive policy that aims to drive changes in 4 systems:

1. Improving the quality of school lunch programme
2. Changing food marketing to reduce sugar, fat, and salt
3. Strengthening health services system to provide better prevention and management of obesity-related conditions, and
4. Modifying the environment to increase physical activity, aiming to reduce the risk of obesity and chronic NCDs across all age groups.

Dr. Jos Vandelaer, the WHO Representative to Thailand, has lauded the country's proactive stance. “Since 2022, Thailand has emerged as a leader in the WHO’s Acceleration Action Plan to STOP Obesity. Their strategies, such as the Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax , Reformulation Initiative (Whan-Noi-Sang-Dai), Healthy Canteen and Healthy Menu, are exemplary,” Dr. Vandelaer noted. Additionally, he appreciated the Department of Health’s efforts to introduce regulations that protect children from aggressive marketing of unhealthy foods high in sugar, sodium, and fat—a crucial step in reducing childhood obesity.

This year's World Obesity Day carries the theme, “Changing the System for Healthier Lives,” a reminder that addressing obesity requires systemic change. It is about reshaping how we produce, market, and consume food, and creating environments that support healthy living.

The WHO is committed to collaborating with the Thai government and various stakeholders to bend the obesity curve. The SDG goal is ambitious yet critical: achieving a 30% reduction in premature mortality from NCDs by 2030. To achieve this, a whole-of-society approach is needed in adopting policies that create healthy environments, empowering people to make healthier decisions and transforming the health system for effective obesity prevention and management.

As Thailand paves the way with its comprehensive and forward-thinking strategies, it stands as a beacon of hope for other countries facing similar challenges. The fight against obesity is not just a national battle but a global one, and with concerted efforts, a healthier future is within reach.

Join Thailand and the global community in the fight against obesity and in making a pledge to healthier lives and a healthier world.

Photo credits: The Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand