Health

Thailand Sees a Rise in Obesity With Over 40 Percent Overweight

Published

2 years ago

May 2, 2023

Bchcomber

Health officials in Thailand report that over 40 percent of adults aged 15 and up are overweight due to fast food and insufficient exercise and at risk of noncommunicable diseases, because of their lifestyle.

According to Dr. Suwanchai Wattanayingcharoenchai, director-general of Thailand’s Health Department, a survey of working Thais revealed that the average body mass index (BMI) of males is 24.2 and 25.2 for females, both of which are considered above normal.

The statistics also suggest that 37.8% of working Thai males and 46.4% of working Thai females are considered fat, with 27.7% of males and 50.4% of females having belly fat.

In comparison to earlier findings, the study results suggest that more Thai individuals ate less fruit and vegetables, with 78.8% eating less than 74.1%.

Dr. Suwanchai told Thai PBS that one of the causes of obesity among working Thai people is that they spend approximately 40 hours each week at their offices, forcing them to eat unhealthy fast food.

Socializing at restaurants may relieve stress, but it may also lead to weight gain and an increased risk of acquiring noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart and kidney disease, according to the researcher.

He recommends that working people exercise frequently, at least 30 minutes per day or 150 minutes per week, using jogging, fast walking, cycling, aerobic or yoga exercises, as suggested by the World Health Organisation.

He also advised them to sleep for 7 to 9 hours per night and to monitor their body weight and waist size on a regular basis.

Obesity in Thailand

Obesity is becoming increasingly prevalent in Thailand, as it is in many other regions of the world. Overweight and obesity have increased dramatically in Thailand over the last two decades, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

In 2016, it was reported that 32.6% of Thai adults were overweight, with 9.7% obese. This represents a substantial increase from 1991, when only 17.8% of adults were overweight and 1.6% were obese.

Several factors contribute to Thailand’s rising obesity rate. The transition towards a more urbanized and sedentary lifestyle is one of the primary reasons. People tend to participate in less physical activity when they migrate away from rural regions and into cities, and they rely more on fast food and processed snacks that are rich in calories, sugar, and fat.

Furthermore, cultural factors contribute to the rise in obesity in Thailand. There is a custom, for example, of eating large family meals, which might contribute to overeating. Furthermore, certain foods, such as fried and sugary foods, are highly valued in Thai cuisine and are frequently consumed in large quantities.

In Thailand, efforts to address obesity include public health programmes that encourage healthy eating and activity, as well as legislation that limit the sale of bad foods. In an effort to limit consumption, the Thai government, for example, has imposed a charge on sugary drinks. However, more work is required to address this growing issue.

Diabetes and heart disease are also major health concerns in Thailand, and they are frequently associated with the rise in obesity. According to the International Diabetes Federation, roughly 4.5 million Thais had diabetes in 2021, and this figure is likely to rise in the next years.

kind 2 diabetes is the most common kind of diabetes in Thailand, and it is frequently linked to lifestyle factors such as poor food, lack of physical activity, and obesity. Diabetes is more prevalent in metropolitan regions than in rural areas in Thailand, which is consistent with the trend towards more sedentary lifestyles.

Heart disease is another major health issue in Thailand, and it is the top cause of mortality in the country. In 2016, cardiovascular disease accounted for 35% of all fatalities in Thailand, according to the World Health Organisation.

High blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, and a diet heavy in saturated and trans fats are all risk factors for heart disease in Thailand. Obesity is also a major risk factor for heart disease since it raises the likelihood of having other health issues such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes and cardiovascular disease in Thailand

In Thailand, efforts to combat diabetes and heart disease include public health campaigns that promote healthy lifestyles, as well as legislation that try to reduce the availability of bad foods and encourage physical exercise. The Thai government has also launched a national diabetes screening and management programme, which includes measures to improve access to medicine and healthcare services. However, more work is needed to address Thailand’s pressing health issues.

Health

Report Causes Pfizer Stock to Climb Approximately $1 Billion Acquired by Starboard

Published

4 months ago

October 7, 2024

Salman

(VOR News) – According to a rumor that activist investor Pfizer Starboard Value has taken a holding in the struggling pharmaceutical business that is expected to be worth around one billion dollars, the stock of Pfizer (PFE) is on the increase in premarket trading on Monday.

This comes after the report was made public. The report was made available to the general public following this. Starboard Value was successful in moving forward with the acquisition of the position.

Starboard is said to have approached Ian Read, a former chief executive officer of Pfizer, and Frank D’Amelio, a former chief financial officer, in order to seek assistance with its goals of boosting the performance of the company, according to the Wall Street Journal. Read and D’Amelio are both former Pfizer executives.

The purpose of this is to facilitate the accomplishment of its objectives, which include enhancing the overall performance of the firm.

In their previous jobs, D’Amelio and Read were chief financial officers.

It is stated in the report that the hedge fund is of the opinion that Pfizer, which is currently being managed by Albert Bourla, who succeeded Read as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in 2019, does not demonstrate the same level of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) discipline that Read did. Bourla took over for Read in 2019. Read was succeeded by Bourla in the year 2019.

Pfizer, a multinational pharmaceutical conglomerate, has made substantial investments in the acquisition of more companies that are involved in the research and development of cancer medicines.

These businesses have been acquired for billions of dollars. The biotechnology company Seagen, which was acquired by Pfizer in the previous year for a price of $43 billion, is included in this category. One of the businesses that can be classified as belonging to this category is Seagen.

In spite of the fact that the S&P 500 Index experienced a 21% increase in 2024.

No major trading occurred in Pfizer stock that year.

Due to the fact that the demand for Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccines fell after the firm reached its pandemic peak in 2021, the share price of the corporation has decreased by over fifty percent since that time.

This drop has occurred ever since the company’s shares reached their maximum peak, which was during the time that this decline occurred. Not only have they not changed at all, but they have also remained essentially stable. This is in contrast to the S&P 500, which has gained 21% since the beginning of this year.

Recently, the corporation was forced to take a hit when it decided to recall all of the sickle cell illness medications that it had distributed all over the world.

Fears that the prescription could lead patients to experience severe agony and possibly even death were the impetus for the decision to recall the product. In spite of the fact that Pfizer’s stock is increasing by almost three percent as a result of the news that followed the company’s decision, this is the circumstance that has come about.

SOURCE: IPN

Health

New Study Reveals Drinking Soda Pop Increases the Risk of Stroke

Published

4 months ago

October 6, 2024

VORNews

If you drink too much soda, fruit juice and coffee, beware!

A recent report from global research indicates that excessive consumption of coffee or soda pop is associated with an increased risk of stroke, although the intake of black and green tea is correlated with a reduced risk. Excessive consumption of soda pop or coffee warrants caution!

Recent research indicates that it may substantially elevate the risk of stroke.

Consuming four cups of coffee daily elevates the risk of stroke, according to studies, although ingesting 3-4 cups of black or green tea daily typically offers protection against stroke. Additionally, consume more coffee; it may reduce your risk of mortality.

Recent findings from global research studies co-led by the University of Galway and McMaster University, alongside an international consortium of stroke researchers, indicate that soda, encompassing both sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened variants such as diet or zero sugar, is associated with a 22 percent heightened risk of stroke. The risk escalated significantly with the consumption of two or more of these beverages daily.

Stroke Risk Fizzy Drinks and Soda Pop

The correlation between fizzy drinks consumption and stroke risk was most pronounced in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and South America. Women exhibit the most elevated risk of stroke from bleeding (intracranial hemorrhage) associated with fruit juice beverages. Consuming over 7 cups of water daily diminishes the likelihood of stroke due to a clot.

Researchers observed that numerous items advertised as fruit juice are derived from concentrates and have added sugars and preservatives, potentially negating the advantages often associated with fresh fruit and instead elevating stroke risk.

Fruit juice beverages were associated with a 37 percent heightened risk of stroke resulting from bleeding (intracranial hemorrhage). Consuming two of these beverages daily increases the risk thrice.

Consuming over four cups of coffee daily elevates the risk of stroke by 37 percent, although lower consumption levels do not correlate with stroke risk. Conversely, tea consumption was associated with an 18-20 percent reduction in stroke risk. Additionally, consuming 3-4 cups daily of black tea, such as Breakfast and Earl Grey varieties, excluding green and herbal teas, was associated with a 29 percent reduced risk of stroke.

Consuming 3-4 cups of green tea daily was associated with a 27 percent reduction in stroke risk. Notably, the addition of milk may diminish or inhibit the advantageous effects of antioxidants present in tea. The lower risk of stroke associated with tea consumption was negated for individuals who added milk.

Disclaimer: This article is intended solely for informational reasons and should not be considered a replacement for professional medical counsel. Consistently consult your physician regarding any inquiries pertaining to a medical problem.

Starbucks Faces Sales Decline Amid Price Fatigue and Rising Competition

Starbucks Faces Sales Decline Amid Price Fatigue and Rising Competition

Health

Following a Diagnosis of Breast Cancer, What Else Should You Know?

Published

4 months ago

October 5, 2024

Salman

(VOR News) – Even though breast cancer affects one in eight American women, receiving a diagnosis can make a woman feel isolated.

Experts in breast cancer from the American College of Physicians (ACS) advise patients on how to manage their disease so that they may better cope with this awful information.

First, the kind and stage of breast cancer dictates the course of your care.

In addition to immunotherapy and chemotherapy, there are various surgical options available for the treatment of breast cancer.

Women of African descent are disproportionately affected by triple-negative breast cancer, an extremely aggressive form of the disease that has never proven easy to treat.

According to the American Cancer Society, pembrolizumab (Keytruda), an immunotherapy, has been shown to be helpful when combined with chemotherapy and is currently the recommended course of treatment for certain combinations of triple-negative breast cancer.

In her presentation, Dr. Katharine Yao said, “It’s really important that the patient and physician discuss the patient’s preferences and values when deciding what type of treatment to pursue and that they have an honest, individualized discussion with their care team.”

She is currently responsible for developing breast cancer treatment recommendations for more than 575 hospitals and institutions nationwide in her role as chair of the American College of Surgeons’ National Accreditation Program for Breast Institutions (NAPBC).

Yao, vice chair of research at Endeavor Health NorthShore Hospitals in New York, pointed out that each decision made about a patient’s treatment plan should take her preferences and diagnosis into consideration.

She ought to think about whether she would prefer a mastectomy—a surgical procedure that involves removing the entire breast with or without reconstruction—or a lumpectomy, which involves a surgical procedure that spares part of the breast tissue.

She stated that “the breast cancer you have may be very different from the breast cancer you hear about in your neighbor, colleague, or friend” in a press release issued by the American Cancer Society (ACS).

“Consider that while discussing breast cancer with others.”

Throughout your journey, it is critical that you look after your emotional health because having breast cancer may have a detrimental impact on your mental health.

“Getting a cancer diagnosis does not mean that everything in your life stops to be normal.” Director of the Fellowship in the Diseases of the Breast program at the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at the University of Arkansas and state head of the American Cancer Society Commission on Cancer for Arkansas, Dr. Daniela Ochoa She thinks adding the burden of a cancer diagnosis and treatment to all the other pressures in life may be taxing.

“Managing stress and emotional health is vital component of a treatment plan.”

Ochoa recommends clinically trained psychologists and social workers who have assisted people in coping with cancer to anyone receiving treatment. Learning coping techniques might also be facilitated by joining cancer support groups or cancer wellness initiatives.

Breast cancer specialists say your care team is crucial.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) defines comprehensive care as having support at every stage of the procedure from surgeons, oncologists, patient navigators, nurses, social workers, psychologists, and other specialists.

After receiving a breast cancer diagnosis, women should see a surgeon or medical oncologist to explore their options; nevertheless, treatment shouldn’t be discontinued after just one appointment or after surgery is over.

Additionally, you can ask trustworthy friends or family members to accompany you to appointments and aid you with research or notes. They could serve as a network of support for you.

Yao stated in his talk that “one of the most important things is that patients should search out a team they have confidence in, that they trust will have their back when they need it, and a team they feel they can get access to and that will help them when they are in need.”

SOURCE: MP