#Publichealth

The ongoing debate about the nutritional value and social implications of baby food pouches has taken on renewed urgency following recent research by the University of Leeds, which revealed that 41% of main meals marketed for children contain excessive sugar, while 21% of ready-to-eat products are deemed too watery to provide adequate nutrition (The Guardian). While some public health advocates warn about rising childhood obesity and tooth decay linked to ultra-processed foods (UPFs), others argue that the conversation is often weaponised to intensify “maternal guilt” rather than meaningfully address broader issues affecting parents’ lives.

A recent warning from health experts has highlighted that a widespread kitchen habit—reusing cooking oil for frying—could unknowingly raise cholesterol levels, putting millions at risk of long-term heart disease. While many Thai families reuse their cooking oil as a way to save money and reduce waste, mounting scientific evidence reveals this common practice could be a silent contributor to elevated cholesterol and cardiovascular risk, making it an urgent public health concern.

Fasted cardio—running before breakfast—has moved from fringe circles to mainstream training. A growing body of science suggests that exercising on an empty stomach can boost fat burning and, for some athletes, support steady performance. This shift comes as Thai runners increasingly seek practical ways to improve fitness while fitting workouts into busy schedules.

In Thailand’s vibrant health and fitness scene, morning runs have become a common routine. Parks in Bangkok buzz with running clubs, and local marathons draw participants nationwide. With rising concerns about obesity and type 2 diabetes, many Thai runners are turning to evidence-based strategies to improve health without lengthy workouts.

Nutrition experts are sounding the alarm about a potentially overlooked dietary issue: not getting enough protein, a problem that can have far-reaching effects on health and wellbeing. According to the latest research and insights from leading registered dietitians, a persistent feeling of hunger and lingering fatigue between meals may be the number one warning sign that you’re falling short on this vital nutrient. In Thailand—where carbohydrate-rich diets, especially those based on rice, are the norm—this finding holds special relevance for anyone keen to maintain optimal health.

A growing body of research highlights how growing up with persistently negative parents can have significant and lasting effects on children, even shaping behaviors and well-being well into adulthood. According to insights from psychologists featured in Parade’s recent article, individuals raised in such environments often manifest distinct emotional and behavioral patterns, prompting renewed calls in Thailand and globally to address the intergenerational impacts of parental negativity on mental health Parade.

The relevance of this issue resonates strongly in Thai society, where family ties and respect for elders are central cultural values. However, new research demonstrates that a family environment dominated by criticism, pessimism, or negativity can inadvertently sow long-term challenges for children. These challenges can manifest as self-doubt, chronic anxiety, difficulties in forming relationships, or a tendency to expect the worst, potentially hindering personal growth and success.

Growing evidence shows that children raised in consistently negative environments may carry emotional and behavioral patterns into adulthood. Psychologists cited in recent analyses note that persistent parental negativity can influence self-esteem, trust, and resilience, prompting renewed discussion worldwide and in Thailand about the intergenerational effects on mental health.

In Thai society, where family bonds and respect for elders run deep, these findings resonate with everyday life. A consistently critical or pessimistic home atmosphere can seed lasting challenges. Adults may experience self-doubt, anxiety, relationship difficulties, or a tendency to expect the worst, potentially hindering personal growth and success.

A new study shows that pairing short mindfulness practice with step tracking can significantly increase the desire to exercise, offering fresh hope for millions seeking to stay active. Conducted by the Centre for Motivation and Behaviour Change at the University of Bath, the research found that even brief daily mindfulness delivered through a free mobile app helped participants not only move more but also sustain motivation for long-term health gains. The findings appeared in Mental Health and Physical Activity on April 8, 2025, prompting experts to rethink how technology and psychology can work together to address global inactivity.

A new study reveals that pairing mindfulness practice with step tracking can significantly increase the desire to exercise—potentially offering a breakthrough for millions struggling to stay active. This research, conducted by the Centre for Motivation and Behaviour Change at the University of Bath, found that even short bursts of daily mindfulness delivered through a free mobile app helped participants build not only physical activity, but also lasting motivation, which is considered critical for long-term health transformation. The findings were published in the journal Mental Health and Physical Activity on April 8, 2025, and are prompting experts to reimagine how technology and psychology can work together to tackle global inactivity.

New international research suggests creatine supplementation may offer a small boost to muscle mass and strength in older adults who also perform resistance training. The findings are timely for aging societies like Thailand, where preserving independence in later life is a growing concern.

As Thailand’s population ages, families seek safe, effective ways to maintain muscle and mobility. Sarcopenia—the gradual loss of muscle with age—raises the risks of frailty and falls. A practical, evidence-based approach combining exercise with affordable supplements is increasingly prioritized.

In an era where maintaining physical activity is widely recognized as a cornerstone of healthy aging, a new research initiative has found an unexpected ally in the quest to help older adults achieve greater fitness: music. Groundbreaking studies from the Physical Activity and Cognition (PAC) Research Lab at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNC Greensboro) are unlocking the power of rhythm and movement to bolster the health, strength, and cognitive function of seniors—findings with growing relevance as Thailand faces rapid population aging and related health challenges [UNC Greensboro News].

A surge of new research is shedding light on whether creatine supplementation can benefit older adults looking to maintain muscle strength and physical function—a subject of growing interest in aging societies like Thailand. While creatine is best known as a staple among young athletes, recent studies suggest its effects extend modestly into older age, provided it’s combined with resistance training.

As Thai society faces the realities of an aging population, many individuals and families are searching for effective, safe interventions to help preserve muscle mass and independence into later life. Age-related muscle loss, or sarcopenia, underpins higher risks of frailty, falls, and reduced quality of life among seniors. Strategies to slow or reverse this decline are urgently needed, making the question of accessible supplements like creatine highly relevant. But what does the latest science say?

A renewed focus on baby food pouches highlights how nutrition, parenting demands, and social expectations intersect in modern life. Recent research from the University of Leeds found that 41% of main meals marketed for children contain high sugar, while 21% of ready-to-eat products may be too watery to provide adequate nutrition. Public health voices warn about links to childhood obesity and dental issues, but critics argue the discussion often targets mothers rather than addressing broader systemic challenges.

A growing health alert highlights a common Thai practice that may quietly raise cholesterol: reusing cooking oil for frying. While saving money and reducing waste, this habit can lead to chemical changes in oil that increase heart disease risk over time.

In Thai households, street food stalls, and community kitchens, families often reuse the same oil for deep-frying popular dishes such as fried chicken, spring rolls, and doughnuts. New research and health reporting point to oil reheating as a trigger for chemical transformations that produce harmful trans fats and oxidized compounds. Data from reputable sources shows these substances can raise LDL “bad” cholesterol and lower HDL “good” cholesterol, heightening cardiovascular risk.

New research from the Physical Activity and Cognition (PAC) Research Lab at UNC Greensboro suggests music can help older adults stay active. The findings highlight how rhythm and movement may improve health, strength, and cognitive function. The work is particularly relevant as Thailand faces rapid population aging and related health challenges, with local officials seeking scalable ways to keep seniors independent and engaged.

Many older adults struggle to build exercise habits, risking declined balance, weaker grip strength, and cognitive changes. In response, PAC Lab researchers developed customized music playlists designed to boost motivation and movement during workouts. The approach aims to make exercise more engaging while guiding progress through tempo adjustments that match participants’ improving fitness.

Running before breakfast—once whispered about only in elite sporting circles—has stepped into the spotlight as growing numbers of athletes embrace “fasted cardio” for improved fat burning and performance. This trend, recently highlighted in a widely circulated Men’s Journal report, is now backed by a mounting body of scientific research, offering both promise and caution for Thai runners seeking to supercharge their fitness routines.

For years, the conventional advice handed down to Thai runners and fitness enthusiasts was to fuel up before workouts. However, scientific studies are revealing that skipping that pre-run meal may offer distinct metabolic advantages, especially for activities like morning jogging or moderate endurance training. The heart of the matter: When you exercise on an empty stomach, your body faces depleted glycogen reserves and must turn rapidly to stored body fat for energy. A 2015 study frequently cited in fitness media found that individuals who exercised in a fasted state increased fat oxidation rates over 24 hours, compared to those who worked out after eating (Yahoo Lifestyle). Similar findings were presented in a review published in the British Journal of Nutrition, noting the metabolic shift and greater reliance on fat as fuel during fasted exercise (PubMed).

For many women, a bit of cramping or an abnormal discharge is often dismissed as nothing more than “just another bad period” or a routine infection. However, recent medical research warns that these subtle symptoms could, in fact, be the body’s urgent distress call about a condition far more severe than it appears: pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Frequently ignored and frequently misunderstood, PID represents a significant, silent threat to fertility—a risk that is often only discovered when women try to conceive, sometimes years after the initial, nearly invisible damage has been done. In the United States alone, more than one million women are estimated to be affected by PID each year, making it one of the leading causes of preventable infertility (Rolling Out).

A growing body of local and global research shows a troubling trend: most Thai children do not meet the World Health Organization’s guideline of 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily. This shortfall—noted by Thai education and health officials—could affect students’ academic performance, physical health, and mental wellbeing.

In Hong Kong, a recent feature highlights a secondary student whose daily runs and basketball helped improve sleep, focus, and grades. The University of Hong Kong reports that more than 90% of children there fail to reach the 60-minute daily target. The story underscores a broader pattern echoed by researchers and health authorities worldwide, including Thailand.

A growing body of global and local research is highlighting a worrying trend: the vast majority of children in Thailand, much like their peers in Hong Kong and around the world, are failing to meet the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendation of 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day. This shortfall—revealed by the latest studies and echoed by Thai education and health officials—raises concerns about the lasting impacts on academic performance, physical health, and mental wellbeing among the nation’s youth.

Many women dismiss mild cramps or unusual discharge as a bad period or a minor infection. Yet medical experts warn these seemingly small symptoms can signal pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), a hidden danger to fertility. In the United States, PID affects more than a million women each year and remains a leading cause of preventable infertility. For Thai readers, PID is a reminder that reproductive health requires attention, even when conversations feel delicate.

In a sobering assessment this week, a leading US infectious disease expert declared that the world may have moved into a “post-herd immunity” era for measles, as vaccination gaps spark resurgent outbreaks across multiple countries. The statement comes as the United States faces its worst measles outbreak in decades, with more than 930 cases reported this year alone—a harbinger that the protective barrier of community immunity is crumbling (The Guardian, MSN).

A groundbreaking study by researchers at Japan’s Fujita Health University has uncovered an unexpected role for brain-derived estrogen in directly regulating appetite and body weight, upending traditional beliefs about how hormones shape our eating habits. Their findings, recently published in The FEBS Journal, not only broaden our scientific understanding but could also open new avenues for treating obesity and overeating—issues of increasing significance in Thailand and around the world (PsyPost).

A new study from researchers at Fujita Health University in Japan reveals that estrogen produced in the brain may directly regulate appetite and body weight, challenging long-held beliefs about hormonal control of eating. Published in The FEBS Journal, the findings offer fresh directions for obesity research and potential future therapies relevant to Thai health priorities.

Traditionally, estrogen has been associated with reproductive health. Yet recent work shows the brain itself can synthesize estrogen, especially in the hypothalamus, via the enzyme aromatase. This neuroestrogen may influence behavior and physiological processes beyond reproduction. Until now, its direct impact on appetite remained uncertain, prompting interest from endocrinologists and neuroscientists worldwide.

A new study suggests that adversity in childhood can cause measurable damage to the brain’s white matter. The finding has important implications for parents, educators, and policy-makers in Thailand, as it highlights how early stress can affect long-term learning and mental health.

In Thailand, the phrase “Land of Smiles” hides underlying challenges. Official data and NGO reports point to significant child adversity at home and in school. In 2023, Thailand’s Ministry of Social Development and Human Security documented thousands of cases of child abuse and neglect, reflecting broader social and economic pressures, including poverty, migration, family breakdown, and educational inequality.

A mild cramp or slight fatigue can feel trivial, but emerging research shows these subtle signs should not be ignored. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is a preventable condition that silently damages the female reproductive system and remains a leading cause of infertility worldwide. Awareness remains low in Thailand and beyond, raising concerns for families and the nation’s demographic future.

Reproductive health matters deeply to Thai communities. While Thailand has expanded access to care, PID often goes underdiagnosed due to subtle symptoms and lingering stigma around sexual health conversations. In Thailand, data from the obstetrics and gynecology department at a major university hospital indicates PID is frequently missed, complicating treatment and outcomes for women.