#Publichealth

A six-year study presented at ENDO 2025 challenges the view that aging alone governs men’s sexual health. Researchers found that even modest rises in blood sugar, rather than age or testosterone alone, are linked to declines in sperm quality, erectile function, and libido. The findings underscore the importance of metabolic health for men’s sexual vitality in Thailand and beyond.

Traditionally, discussions about declining male sexual and reproductive health have focused on hormones and aging. The new study, led by a senior endocrinologist, suggests that subtle metabolic changes—especially small increases in blood sugar—may play a larger role than previously recognized. “Although age and testosterone have long been linked to changes in sexual health, our findings show these shifts align more closely with modest rises in blood sugar and other metabolic changes,” the lead researcher noted. The takeaway: lifestyle management and regular blood sugar monitoring could help preserve sexual health with age.

A new review of over-the-counter supplements popular among people with depression has found that while some may offer benefits—particularly for those with mild to moderate symptoms—the evidence supporting most supermarket remedies remains limited and nuanced. The findings, drawing from an assessment of 209 studies and reviewed by prominent researchers at Southern Cross University, further clarify the role of widely available vitamins, herbal products, and dietary supplements in mental health care as Thai consumers face a similarly surging marketplace for such treatments.

A new wave of nutrition experts is challenging the classic “five-a-day” guideline. They argue a broader plant-based repertoire, targeting 30 different plant types weekly, can support gut health and overall wellbeing. This shift aligns global research with Thai eating patterns, inviting readers to embrace biodiversity at every meal.

Global diet-related diseases are rising, including in Thailand. Ultra-processed foods, high sugar intake, and a move away from traditional plant-rich meals contribute to obesity and metabolic syndrome. In response, health professionals emphasize not just more vegetables, but a diverse range of plant foods as a cornerstone of a balanced diet. This approach fits both international findings and local culinary habits.

A notable health story is resonating across Thailand as aging populations rise. A 71-year-old woman transformed half her body weight into muscle, proving that disciplined, enjoyable activity can redefine aging. Her journey began after a routine body composition scan showed insufficient muscle mass rather than a simple call for weight loss. The milestone has sparked conversations in Thai fitness and public health circles about sustainable movement for seniors.

Thailand faces a rapidly aging society. Data from the National Statistical Office indicate that about one in five Thais will be over 60 by 2030. This makes strength, mobility, and social engagement in later life a public priority. The featured individual started exercising after decades of inactivity, inspired by her mother’s mobility struggles and a personal health wake-up call in her seventies. She followed a program that combined cardio and resistance work, guided by a body composition assessment.

A new experimental mRNA vaccine developed by researchers at the University of Florida has demonstrated an unprecedented ability to boost the body’s immune response against cancer, potentially paving the way toward a universal cancer vaccine, according to a landmark study published this week in Nature Biomedical Engineering (MedicalXpress). This innovative approach represents a paradigm shift in cancer therapy that could ultimately benefit patients in Thailand and around the world, offering hope for those with cancers resistant to conventional treatments.

A new wave of scholarship is challenging the common belief that America had a golden age of health—a notion recently revived by public figures such as the US Secretary of Health and Human Services, who has made headlines with the “Make America Healthy Again” campaign. This movement assumes that Americans were once notably healthier, but an in-depth look at historical records and leading expert analysis reveals a more complex—and less nostalgic—story (Bloomberg; New York Times).

A landmark study from leading U.S. researchers reveals a stark surge in ‘extremely severe’ obesity among American children over the past decade and a half, igniting alarm among health experts worldwide. Drawing on nationally representative health data, the study, published in JAMA Network Open, found the proportion of kids with the most extreme forms of obesity more than tripled between 2008 and 2023—a trend that poses urgent questions for public health both in the United States and in countries like Thailand where childhood obesity is a rising concern (Gizmodo).

A growing body of research now points to a troubling reality for millions worldwide: exposure to artificial light after dark—whether from smartphones, bright hospital lamps, or night shifts—may be fundamentally rewiring the human brain, with ripple effects throughout the body. New findings highlight the health risks tied to Thailand’s own rapidly urbanizing, brightly lit environment, raising concerns for workers and families across the nation.

Rapid urbanization in Thailand has brought the glow of artificial light to every corner, from Bangkok’s neon-lit streets to rural provinces seeing a surge in 24-hour service culture. While most Thais associate bright lighting with modern comfort and safety, scientists are finding that our brains remain hardwired for ancient, natural cycles of light and darkness—a system increasingly disrupted by modern habits. According to recent research by leading neuroscientists at West Virginia University, the effects extend well beyond sleeplessness: chronic exposure to artificial light at night has been shown to disturb our body’s master clock, or circadian rhythm, which in turn can weaken the immune system, increase inflammation, change appetite-regulating hormones, and disrupt mood.

A new study has found that simply increasing your walking speed may offer profound benefits for mobility and independence among older adults, with implications for Thailand’s rapidly aging population. With over 13 million Thais aged 60 and older and the number projected to keep rising, the findings could transform the nation’s approach to healthy aging and frailty prevention.

Frailty, a common challenge in older age, is marked by physical symptoms such as unintentional weight loss, muscle weakness, exhaustion, reduced activity, and slow movement. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine—which defines frailty by the presence of at least three of these symptoms—frail older adults often struggle with routine everyday tasks, leading to greater risk of falls, hospitalization, and loss of independence (Johns Hopkins Medicine). Thai society, with its strong familial ties and respect for elders, faces social and economic burdens when older adults lose mobility.

A new study suggests that simply walking faster can significantly improve mobility and independence among older adults. As Thailand moves toward an aging society, these findings could shape practical approaches to healthy aging and frailty prevention.

Frailty in later life includes weight loss, muscle weakness, fatigue, reduced activity, and slow movement. Frail seniors often struggle with everyday tasks, increasing the risk of falls, hospital stays, and loss of independence. In Thailand, strong family networks and respect for elders make mobility in older adults a key social and economic issue.

A new global study has pinpointed four simple, cost-free exercise routines that can significantly alleviate sleep problems for adults, offering hope to millions of Thais who struggle nightly with restlessness and exhaustion. Published in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine in July 2025, the research highlights yoga, Tai Chi, walking or jogging, and resistance training as the most effective forms of physical activity for improving not just sleep duration but quality and resilience against common disruptions—without the need for medication or expensive therapy (New Atlas, Science Daily).

The age-old debate over whether poor diet or insufficient exercise is the main culprit behind rising obesity rates has taken a new turn, with a major international study concluding that the overconsumption of calories — especially from ultra-processed foods — is far more responsible for obesity than a lack of physical activity. The research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, analyzed an unprecedentedly diverse cohort and challenges assumptions long held in both public health messaging and everyday Thai life.

A global study highlights four free, practical exercises that significantly ease sleep problems for adults. Published in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine in July 2025, the research finds yoga, Tai Chi, walking or jogging, and resistance training improve both sleep duration and quality without medications. Data from reputable institutions support these conclusions, offering a hopeful path for many Thais facing restless nights.

Thailand grapples with a sleep-health challenge. National health surveys show more than 40% of working-age adults experience regular sleep difficulties, raising risks of diabetes, hypertension, and accidents. In a society with late working hours, high screen time, and urban stress, these findings matter to families and workers seeking practical wellness solutions.

Sleep research challenges the common social media claim that women inherently need much more rest than men. The data show only a modest average difference, shaped by biology and daily realities rather than a simple gender rule. For Thailand, where social change is reshaping women’s roles at home and in the workforce, this nuance matters.

In Thai society, sleep health intersects with mental well-being, work-life balance, and evolving gender expectations. Quick-fix claims on social platforms—such as “women need two extra hours of sleep”—miss the nuance. Robust research indicates a gentler reality: roughly 20 to 30 minutes more sleep for women on average, influenced by biology and daily demands rather than a universal standard.

A groundbreaking new clinical trial has pinpointed a twice-weekly intermittent fasting regimen, commonly called the “5:2 diet,” as the most effective and sustainable strategy among three popular diets for improving blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes and obesity. The findings, presented at the ENDO 2025 conference in San Francisco, not only illuminate a promising approach for diabetes management but also have significant implications for Thailand, where diabetes rates are rising and dietary trends are keenly watched by both the medical community and the public.

A recent high-profile case of infertility after months of strict dieting and intense training has sparked a broader conversation about wedding-day body norms. Health experts note that severe weight loss can halt menstruation and reduce fertility, a warning that resonates with Thai readers where bridal aesthetics influence fitness and nutrition choices.

In Thai culture, chasing the “ideal” pre-wedding body is often tied to family pride and social expectations. New evidence shows that drastic calorie restriction and overtraining disrupt hormonal balance essential for reproduction. Moderate exercise and balanced nutrition support fertility, while extreme measures can cause hypothalamic amenorrhea—where periods disappear due to physical stress. Although often reversible, recovery can take months or years, complicating hopes to conceive soon after marriage.

New research shows that exposure to artificial light after dark can disrupt the body’s natural rhythms, affecting sleep, metabolism, mood, and immune function. In Thailand’s fast-urbanizing landscape, bright night lighting is common in homes, workplaces, and public spaces, making these findings highly relevant for Thai health.

Urban growth has brought constant illumination from Bangkok’s neon streets to smaller cities embracing 24-hour services. Although bright lighting is convenient, experts warn that the body still responds to circadian cues. Researchers explain that chronic nighttime light can disturb the circadian rhythm, potentially weakening immunity, triggering inflammation, altering hunger hormones, and influencing mood.

A global study reframes the obesity debate by showing that calorie intake, especially from ultra-processed foods, explains more of the rise in obesity than physical activity alone. For Thai readers, the findings emphasize dietary choices as a key lever for health alongside exercise.

Thailand has long championed the “move more” message and the Ministry of Public Health’s 30 Minutes for Good Health campaign. Yet rising obesity signals concerns about diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. The World Health Organization in Southeast Asia has highlighted growing obesity in the region, urging a rethink of dietary guidance. The new study supports focusing on what people eat—particularly ultra-processed foods such as instant noodles, packaged snacks, and Sugary drinks common in Thai households and shops—as a major determinant of obesity, potentially more decisive than activity levels alone.

In a groundbreaking study published this week in the Journal of the American Heart Association, researchers have found that adopting simple lifestyle habits can significantly reduce the risk of chronic diseases—even for individuals with a genetic predisposition. The findings provide hope for people in Thailand and globally, emphasizing that regardless of one’s family health history, everyday choices can act as powerful shields against conditions such as heart disease, dementia, and diabetes (AOL.com).

A comprehensive review shows that simple, sustainable lifestyle changes can meaningfully reduce the risk of chronic diseases, including for people with a family history of illness. For Thai readers, the takeaway is clear: everyday choices remain powerful shields against heart disease, dementia, and diabetes.

In Thailand, chronic diseases are a rising concern, contributing to a growing share of deaths from cardiovascular issues, diabetes, and kidney conditions. The study demonstrates that small, achievable health changes can alter one’s health trajectory, aligning with Thai hopes for better community health and affordable care.

A new study published by BMC Public Health has revealed a dramatic rise in public attention toward infertility in China, using Baidu search data to map nationwide trends and public sentiment around reproductive health issues. As infertility rates have soared from 7.5% in 2007 to an estimated 18.2% in 2020—now affecting one in five Chinese couples of reproductive age—the demand for information and solutions is reaching new heights, underscoring both societal anxieties and gaps in healthcare infrastructure. The findings provide powerful insights for Thai policymakers and families as Thailand faces similar demographic transitions and a shifting culture around fertility and family planning.

A recent study in BMC Public Health analyzes Baidu search trends to understand how people in China seek information about infertility, IVF, and related topics. The findings show infertility rates rising from 7.5% in 2007 to about 18.2% in 2020, suggesting roughly one in five couples of reproductive age could be affected. The research highlights public demand for information and gaps in healthcare infrastructure, offering timely lessons for Thailand as it navigates similar demographic and cultural shifts around fertility.

A new study by leading U.S. researchers shows a sharp rise in ultra-high obesity among children over the past decade and a half. Using nationally representative health data, the study in JAMA Network Open found that the share of children in the most extreme obesity categories more than tripled from 2008 to 2023. With about 73 million Americans under 18, this translates to roughly 825,000 children now in the ultra-high BMI range. Ultra-high obesity is defined as BMI levels well above the 95th percentile, reaching Class 4 or Class 5 levels. The trend raises critical questions for Thailand, where childhood overweight and obesity are also rising.

A recent high-profile case of a bride-to-be becoming infertile after months of strict dieting and intense exercise in preparation for her wedding has thrown a spotlight on the hidden dangers many women face in the pursuit of a “perfect” appearance. Triggered by the story detailed in People Magazine, where a woman reported losing her menstrual cycle and developing infertility after aggressively trying to slim down before her big day, new research underscores the significant reproductive risks for women who undertake extreme weight loss regimens. These findings arrive as social media-fueled pressures to “look perfect” on special occasions are more pervasive than ever in Thai society and beyond, raising urgent health and social questions.