Abstract
Objective: To measure trends in the prevalence of overweight and obesity and the relationship with
urban or rural residence and education in Thailand.
Research Methods and Procedures: Data were from two nationally representative surveys of 38,323
individuals ≥18 years old (19,156 were 18 to 59 years old) in 2004 and 3375 individuals 18 to 59 years
old in 1997. Overweight and obesity were defined using the World Health Organization's Asian criteria.
Results: Among those ≥18 years old in 2004, 17.8% of men (95% confidence interval, 16.6% to 19.0%)
were overweight, 18.4% (17.3% to 19.5%) had Class I obesity, 4.8% (4.1% to 5.5%) had Class II
obesity, and 15.9% (14.6% to 17.1%) had abdominal obesity. In women, 18.2% (17.1% to 19.2%) were
overweight, 26.1% (24.9% to 27.3%) had Class I obesity, 9.3% (8.6% to 10.0%) had Class II obesity,
and 37.3% (35.3% to 39.2%) had abdominal obesity. In those 18 to 59 years old, the prevalence of
Class I obesity in men and all four categories in women significantly increased between 1997 and 2004.