he objectives of this study were to examine problems with child obesity in Bonok SAO, Muang district, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, and to suggest solution to the problems. Eating behaviors and day-time activities of children who were in a school’s fat-kid list were studied. The parents’ attitudes of obese children and their up-bringing were investigated. Solutions to the obesity problems were also suggested. Questionnaires and interviews were used to collect data. The sample included obese children, the parents of the obese children, and teachers who were in charge of obese children. In order to compare the data, non-obese children, slightly-fat children and the parents were studied. They were categorized into 3 groups, with 5 persons in each group. The three groups were the fattest, the fatter, and the non-fat groups. The result revealed that eating behaviors of the fattest group were different from non-obese children. They would have food with high-fat content for their main meals such as curry, stir-fries and fried foods. For snacks, they would have crispy snacks such as chips or sweets. For drinks, the fattest and the fatter groups would have sweet drinks such as sweetened milk, chocolate milk or sweet fruit juice. In terms of physical activities, the fattest and the fatter groups were less likely to have calorie-burn-off activities. Most of them would have only a 15-minute exercise period in the morning at school, and would spend the rest of time watching television or playing computer games. With regards to the attitudes of the parents towards obese children, most of the parents’ attitudes proved to be wrong. They believed that fat children were in good health, and cute-looking. Most parents were still in their working ages. and therefore did not have time to choose proper food for their children. They would cook fried and stir-fried foods, and did not pay attention to their children’s obese condition. They often thought that their kids would recover such issues at the right ages. It was found that activities aimed at solving the problems were organized at school, such as hula-hoops and 15-minutes a day exercise period. However the activities were not targeted especially for obese children, but rather at all children in general. Also there were no activity assessments. The researcher collected and integrated all the data in order to provide suitable solutions to child obesity problems. Guidelines were suggested in a form of development plan of the Bonok SAO. This included many projects such as eating behaviors of school children projects (for schools), flat tummy projects (for schools), the conversion of parents’ attitudes towards obese children project (for parents), and less fat for better health project (for obese children), To apply the results of this study, it was suggested that the Bonok SAO should organize meetings with parents, teachers and obese children in order to make an awareness of obesity consequences. They should also establish plans and provide budgeting support, and include them in the development plan.
There should be collaboration from related sectors to carry out the projects and assess the performance, based on relevant indicators.