New global research shifts the focus from physical activity as the main driver of obesity to diet quality, highlighting the growing role of ultra-processed foods. For Thailand and other developing economies facing rising obesity, the findings advocate policy reform, nutrition education, and mindful everyday eating in homes and schools.
The study compares energy use in more than 4,000 adults across 34 settings, from hunter-gatherer communities in Africa to corporate environments in Europe. Using the doubly labeled water method, researchers measured daily energy expenditure linked to basic biology and activity. After accounting for body size, the results show similar calorie burn in industrialized societies and subsistence communities, challenging the idea that wealthier nations are inherently more sedentary.
Researchers propose a “constrained total energy expenditure” model. The body appears to maintain a narrow range of total energy output. When activity increases, energy shifts from other physiological processes. The overall daily energy burn remains relatively stable, regardless of lifestyle.
However, the study links obesity trends more to dietary patterns than to reduced physical activity. A key finding is the strong association between higher intake of ultra-processed foods—industrial products with multiple ingredients—and higher body-fat percentages across populations. Excess calories, rather than activity declines alone, appear to drive the obesity surge.
For Thailand, these insights matter. Obesity has risen in Bangkok and other urban centers over the past two decades, mirroring a broader nutrition transition. Thailand’s National Health Examination surveys show adult overweight and obesity rising from around 16% in the early 1990s to more than 32% today, with similar patterns emerging among younger groups. Urban food environments—supermarkets, fast-food outlets, and convenience stores—have boosted ready-to-eat meals, sugary beverages, and snacks with added industrial ingredients.
Thai health officials acknowledge the impact of changing diets. A senior official notes the growing presence of ultra-processed foods in schools and homes. In high-income settings, ultra-processed foods can account for a substantial share of daily calories, a pattern increasingly observed in parts of Asia. The study aligns with calls to curb sugary drinks, improve front-of-pack labeling, regulate advertising to children, and expand access to healthier options in schools.
Experts stress that exercise remains vital for mental health, heart health, and metabolic well-being. The study does not diminish the value of physical activity; it reframes priorities for obesity prevention. The practical takeaway is clear: reduce overall energy intake and minimize ultra-processed foods through personal choices and stronger national policies.
Thai researchers and health professionals view the study as a reminder to address the food environment. Nutrition literacy, community outreach, and better access to fresh, affordable foods are essential. Policymakers are urged to strengthen school meal standards, regulate marketing to children, and promote traditional dietary patterns that emphasize whole foods like rice, vegetables, fruit, fish, and eggs.
What can Thai readers do now? Favor minimally processed ingredients, cook at home when possible, and limit sugary drinks and snacks. Return to traditional Thai eating patterns that emphasize balance, portion control, and fresh produce. For families, quick stir-fries or simple boiled dishes can be convenient, nutritious, and less reliant on ultra-processed sauces. For policymakers, this is a call to bolster food-system regulations, school meal programs, and public health education to make healthier choices easier and more affordable.
Bottom line: Exercise remains important, but the study highlights diet—especially reducing ultra-processed foods—as a powerful lever for obesity prevention and treatment. Embracing traditional, whole-food eating while limiting ultra-processed products can support healthier lives for Thai families and communities.