The policy is comprised of 10 requirements: 1. All ministerial executives will attend the activities; 2. Take care of yourself in terms of diet, exercise and emotionally while refraining from alcohol and tobacco products; 3. Eat vegetables and fruits with every meal; 4. Reduce sugar, fried and salty foods while drinking plain water instead of soft drinks or sweetened water; 5. Have healthy snacks when taking breaks; 6. Increase physical activity or exercise to at least 30 minutes a day, at least five days a week; 7. Stay in a good mood and avoid stressful situations; 8. Cut down on alcohol and tobacco consumption; 9. Practice good dental hygiene and brush teeth correctly; and 10. Be determined to keep body weight within accepted standards.

Health Department chief Dr Wachira Pengchan said waist measurements and body mass index tests on ministerial executives found 33 per cent of them having metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of physiological abnormalities associated with the development of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

He cited that his own waistline was 97.5 centimetres – while a Thai male waist standard was 90cms – and he needed to lose 15 kilograms of body weight.

Among the ministerial executives measured yesterday were Piyasakol whose waistline is 96.5cms and has 14kgs to lose and permanent secretary Sopon Mekthon whose waistline is 101.5cms and has 20kgs to lose. The executives would attend measurement sessions on a monthly basis until September as part of the programme.

Piyasakol also cited the National Statistics Office’s 2013 report that 89.8 per cent of Thai children aged 6-14 had snacks, followed by 85.5 per cent of youths aged 15-24 and 77.6 per cent of adults aged 25-59 and 70.8 per cent of elderly over 60. In school, there is one overweight student for every 10 pupils, he added. Hence those providing snacks should have good nutritional knowledge and promote a healthy diet and exercise, hence the people would be less likely become overweight and suffer from chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer and heart disease which caused medical bills costing Bt100 billion per year.