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Thai Children Shorter Than Singapore/Japan, Risking Health Issues

Thai Children Shorter Than Singapore/Japan, Risking Health Issues

Khaosod•Society•1d ago

Reader Briefing

Thai children's shorter stature compared to Singapore and Japan highlights concerns about inadequate milk consumption, potentially leading to low muscle mass and osteoporosis.

  • •Thai children are shorter than their counterparts in Singapore and Japan.
  • •Low milk consumption among Thai children is linked to risks of low muscle mass and early-onset osteoporosis.
  • •The Department of Health is promoting daily milk consumption for children and adults.
  • •World Milk Day is being used to partner with private sectors for milk promotion.

Overview

  • •Reports indicate Thai children are shorter than those in Singapore and Japan, raising health concerns.
  • •Only 23% of Thai children aged 2-12 years meet the daily recommendation of 2 glasses of milk.
  • •Anamai Poll in 2026 found only 19.6% of Thais aged 15 and above drink milk according to standard criteria.
  • •Average height increase for Thai boys was 6.5 cm and for girls was 5.2 cm, with average heights of 171.6 cm (male) and 159.3 cm (female).
  • •Singaporean men average 176.9 cm and women 163.3 cm; Japanese men average 173.5 cm and women 161.5 cm.
  • •Thailand's average milk consumption is 23.1 liters per person per year, below the global average of 31 liters.
  • •The Department of Health is collaborating with private companies like Lotus's and 7-Eleven to promote milk consumption.
  • •World Milk Day on June 1 serves as a focal point for these promotional activities.

Full article content is available on the original source.

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Key Quotes

Dr. Amporn Benjaphonpitak
"Cow's milk has 13 essential nutrients, especially high-quality calcium and protein, which are crucial for bone density, body repair, and growth."
นมโค มีสารอาหารจำเป็นถึง 13 ชนิด โดยเฉพาะ แคลเซียม และ โปรตีนคุณภาพสูง ซึ่งมีส่วนสำคัญต่อการเสริมความหนาแน่นของกระดูก การซ่อมแซมร่างกาย และการเจริญเติบโต
Dr. Amporn Benjaphonpitak
"The second Southeast Asian Nutrition Survey (SEANUTS II), surveying over 14,000 children aged 6 months to 12 years from Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam, found only 23% of Thai children aged 2-12 years drink the recommended 2 glasses of milk daily."
การสำรวจภาวะโภชนาการเด็กในเอเชียตะวันออกเฉียงใต้ ครั้งที่ 2 หรือ SEANUTS II ซึ่งสำรวจเด็กระหว่างอายุ 6 เดือน ถึง 12 ปี กว่า 14,000 คน จาก ไทย อินโดนีเซีย มาเลเซีย และเวียดนาม พบว่า เด็กไทยอายุ 2-12 ปี เพียงร้อยละ 23 ดื่มนมได้ตามเกณฑ์ 2 แก้วต่อวัน

Key Entities

Organization

Department of Health(กรมอนามัย)ℹ️
The Thai government agency responsible for public health, which released data and initiatives concerning children's nutrition and height.
Lotus's(โลตัส)
A private sector company collaborating with the Department of Health to offer milk promotions.
Seven(เซเว่น)
A private sector company (likely referring to 7-Eleven) collaborating with the Department of Health to offer milk promotions.

Person

Dr. Amporn Benjaphonpitak(พญ.อัมพร เบญจพลพิทักษ์)
Director-General of the Department of Health, who provided insights and data on children's health and nutrition.
Dr. Pakorn Tungkasareeruk(นพ.ปกรณ์ ตุงคะเสรีรักษ์)
Deputy Director-General of the Department of Health, who provided data on national milk consumption and recommendations for different age groups.

Place

Singapore(สิงคโปร์)ℹ️
A country used as a benchmark for comparison in the article regarding children's height and milk consumption.
Japan(ญี่ปุ่น)ℹ️
A country used as a benchmark for comparison in the article regarding children's height and milk consumption.