Thailand

"Nutrition Association of Thailand
under the Patronage of H.R.H.
Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn"

Report of Nutrition Association of Thailand (NAT)

2005-2007

Executive committee (July 2005-June 2007)

Term of the Executive Committee

Note: Each executive committee will serve for a two-year term, and starting in 2008, the term begins in January and end in December.

Year Established

30 June 1965

Contact Addresses

Prof. Dr. Thep Himathongkam
President,
Nutrition Association of Thailand
Theptarin Hospital
3850 Rama IV Rd.
Prakanong, Klongtoey
Bangkok 10110,. Thailand.
Tel. 66-2-240-2727  Fax: 0-2249-8774
Email: thep@theptarin.com, thepjudy@loxinfo.co.th

OR

Assoc. Prof. Pattanee Winichagoon
Member, NAT executive committee
Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University
Phutthamonthon 4, Salaya
Nakhon Pathom 73170
Thailand
Tel: 66-2-889-2168, 66-2-800-2380 ext 313; Fax: 66-2-441-9344
Email: nupwn@mahidol.ac.th, pattaneew@gmail.com

Activities

The activities carried out by the Nutrition Association of Thailand during July 2005-December 2007 are: 

1. Networking with Department of Health and Thailand Health Promotion Funds on Proactive Nutrition Initiative, 2006-2007
2. Collaborating with the Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University as focal point for the Thailand National Alliance of the Global Alliance for Prevention of Obesity and related NCD, 2006-present.
3. Organizing the First and Second Thailand Congress of Nutrition (August 31-September 2, 2006 and October 3-5, 2007) and the First International Conference of Halal Science, August 31-September 2, 2006.
4. Production of a quarterly journal, the Journal of Nutrition Association of Thailand
5. General assembly of the members of the Nutrition Association of Thailand, September 2006, and October 2007.

Excerpts of key activities of the Nutrition Association of Thailand, July 2005-December 2007 

I.  Proactive Nutrition Initiatives 

The proactive nutrition initiative (PNI) was initiated by three core stakeholders – Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health (MOPH), Nutrition Association of Thailand with financial supports from the Thailand Health Promotion Fund (funds from tobacco and alcohol taxes). The general objective of the PNI is to establish a network and process to implement nutrition program for optimal capacity of Thai people. The main strategies of the initiative include: (1) Research and development to generate knowledge for the network movement, (2) Strengthening the capacity of the network members, (3) communication and social marketing, and (4) policy advocacy. Accomplishments of the implementation during 2005-2007: 

1. Three priority nutritional problems were identified under this initiative. They are: childhood over-nutrition; inappropriate infant feeding; and undesirable nutritional behaviors, specifically focusing on school-aged children.
2. Developing managerial skills, process and structure for linking various stakeholders and networks under the PNI.
3. Development of knowledge- and evidence-based actions to address the identified priority nutritional problems.

Examples of projects are:

1. Prevention and control of childhood obesity in antenatal and well-baby clinics
2. Improved child rearing practices at day-care centers
3. Food-based dietary guidelines for infants
4. Healthy snacks
5. Consumer-friendly nutrition labeling
6. Promoting consumption of fruits and vegetables, and reduction of salt and fat/oil.
7. Policy advocacy and implementing proactive nutrition initiatives to increase public awareness.

II.  Thailand National Alliance linkage with the Global Alliance for Prevention of Obesity and related NCD 

The International Association for the Study of Obesity, which incorporates the International Obesity Task Force, has spearheaded a Global Alliance of five principal medical non-governmental organizations formally linked to the World Health Organization (WHO) - the World Heart Federation (WHF), International Diabetes Federation (IDF), International Paediatric Association (IPA) and International Union of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS). The Alliance is working towards establishing regional and national councils to support and co-ordination to the relevant national initiatives. The Alliance will provide a mechanism for ensuring rapid, progressive work while engaging the support of the medical establishment within each country.  Six key countries aligned with the WHO priorities, namely Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Brazil, Hong Kong and Canada, have been chosen as potential models. The key objectives of the Global Alliance group globally and at national level in Thailand were to (1) Increase awareness and understanding of the causes of obesity, (2) Share information on national and international preventive actions, and (3) To provide a forum for general discussion on the roles of key stakeholders individually and collectively for Thailand. Thailand National Alliance plans to mobilise various stakeholders for the benefit of Thai people and society. It was established by calling upon the key stakeholders from professional societies and with participation of academicians who form a task force group to provide technical support to the implementation of the Alliance. The Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University and the Nutrition Association of Thailand are instrumental in this network.  

The trends of major risk factors in Thailand showed the increase in mean cholesterol and blood sugar levels between 1990-2000. Admission rates for cardio-vascular disease between 1985-2000 were up to 190,000, which represented a substantial increase during the past few years. The focus was on treatment rather than prevention. Rural populations were now catching up with urban communities in terms of the increase in obesity rates. The increasing presence of the food industry in the mass media in Thailand, all of which impacted on an individual’s ability to make rational choices about food consumption. Supermarkets, mostly international chains, now had over 200 outlets in Thailand. How could marketing strategies be made more positive? How could the quality of food distribution be reconfigured to be more beneficial to health. In addition, urban planning in developing countries was another issue. Most Thai people live in places where walking is not encouraged. Roads are crowded as a result of economic growth and the use of vehicles increases in number whilst available road space remains limited. Transport systems are designed with vehicles in mind rather than how best pedestrians can move around. The hot climate compounds the disadvantaged. The issues surrounding obesity and related chronic diseases were complex and could not be left to Health Ministries alone to deal with. There was clearly a need to challenge a whole range of other stakeholders to take actions. 

A dialogue was made with the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB), and it was agreed that problem and strategy to address obesity and NCD be included in the 10^th National development plan (2007-2011). The technical task force group have met twice to discuss the needed policy and possible implementation mechanisms. The current situation is complex as the country is facing double burden of malnutrition. Strategies that simultaneously address both ends of malnutrition will be needed, though the focus will be to prevent obesity and related NCD.  Working mechanism need to extend beyond health, agriculture, education, to include trade sector, industry, academic and professional groups. Capacity building of general practitioners to have a preventive attitude and encouraging teamwork at primary care level would be important. Lessons learned from on-going projects at school or community level should be compiled and synthesized, and infrastructure at local level may be established before scaling up to national level. FDA and MOPH could work closely together to develop innovative strategies for health promotion and consumer protectiuon. Existing consumer protection laws related to food safety and quality may be revised using CODEX as a guideline, and working with academic institutions to obtain evidence to support national legislation. Finally, it was recognized that focussing on obesity needed to go hand in hand with under-nourishment, and they must be addressed as a single, not isolated, agenda.  A series of short and long term activities to embrace a 5-10 year perspective will be developed. 

III.  The First Thailand Congress of Nutrition (1^st TCN), August 31-September 2, 2006 and  the First International Conference on Halal Science, September 1-2, 2006 

As a preparation for the forthcoming 19^th International Congress of Nutrition, to be hosted by Thailand in 2009, the Nutrition Association of Thailand in conjunction with the Faculty of Allied Health Science. Chulalongkorn University; Institute of Nutriton, Mahidol University; and Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health coordinated with its network institutions and professional societies in organizing the First Thailand Congress of Nutrition during August 31-Spetember 2, 2006. The opening of conference was presided by Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mahachakri Sirindhorn. The theme of the conference was, “Integrative Nutrition towards Thailand’s Sufficiency”. The objectives of the congress were to provide a forum and encourage the exchange of knowledge and experiences among various stakeholders working in the areas of food and nutrition. The King’s visionary concept of self-sufficiency is the key principle that the conference addressed in an attempt to promote the transfer of knowledge to practices for prevention and control of obesity, related NCD and the remaining undernutrition that still compromised the optimality and health of Thai people. The conference was participated by over 500 Thai nutrition practitioners and scientists. Two awards were presented in recognition of the outstanding oral and poster papers. 

In connection with the First Thailand Congress of Nutrition, the first Halal science conference was also organized. The conference with the theme, Halal Food-Halal Nutrition, is a forum for an international meeting and networking of scientists having common interests in promoting halal science. The topics included in the meeting were establishing a network for laboratory practices, surveillance and databases for halal foods, GMP and HACCP to strengthen food industry and other food establishment for halal foods. 

IV. The Second Thailand Congress of Nutrition (2^nd TCN), October 3-5, 2007

The Second Thailand Congress of Nutrition during October 3-5, 2007. The opening of conference was presided by Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mahachakri Sirindhorn. This second TCN was jointly organized by the Nutrition Association of Thailand, The Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition of Thailand (SPENT) and the Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, together with the network institutions, under the theme, “Sufficiency nutrition for Happiness”. The objectives of the congress were to provide a forum for exchange of knowledge and experiences among various stakeholders (nutrition researchers, nutrition professionals and personnel in related fields) working in the areas of food and nutrition; address the integration of knowledge and expertise in pursuing; provide a scientific platform, especially, young investigators to prepare for the forthcoming 19^th ICN to be held in Bangkok, in October 2009. The topics included agriculture and nutrition, diet-related chronic diseases focusing on both clinical and public health issues among adults and elderly advance in clinical nutrition, school nutrition, nutrition and genetics.  There were two lunch symposia supported by industries. This conference was attended by almost 1000 participants.  Similar to the first TCN, awards were given to outstanding oral and poster papers. This year, two awards each were provided by the NAT and two by SPENT.  

VI.  Roles of NAT in the organization of the 19^th Congress of Nutrition

Back in 2001, the IUNS had selected Thailand as the site for the 19^th International Congress of Nutrition in Thailand (ICN). The hosting of this congress was reaffirmed at the 18^th ICN in Durban in 2005. The theme of 19^th ICN is ‘Nutrition security for All’. Briefly, the scientific program will be organized in cascades, grouping related topics in locations of close proximity. Examples of cascades are: nutrition and behavior modification, nutrition and the life cycle, roles of nutrition in metabolic syndromes, integrated biosciences: from genes to global health, nutrition and the millennium development goals, and Asia exotic foods and nutrition.

Professor Thep Himathongkam, the President of NAT and the Secretary General has worked closely with the Congress President, Professor Kraisid Tontisirin to provide the direction for the 19^th ICN. The Scientific committee is composed of individuals with a wide range of expertise and/or representing network of institutions working in the areas of nutrition and allied fields, chaired by Associate Professor Emorn Wasantwisut. International experts from a wide range of specialized areas  will be invited to be an advisory board, to ensure the quality of the scientific program.  

 V. NAT Website

The Nutrition Association of Thailand has set up a website which includes information about the Association; update knowledge in food and nutrition, food and nutrition knowledge for the public; abstracts of articles published in the Journal of Nutrition Association of Thailand; on-going activities of NAT; as well as calendar of food and nutrition events both in Thailand and international ones. At present, the website is mainly in Thai. It is under further development, to provide excerpt of NAT activities in English, and planned to include links to relevant websites, such as FANS (being developed), IUNS and 19^th ICN 2009.

[Annual Report, 2005-2007]