How an agreement with restriction of unhealthy food marketing and sodium taxation influenced high fat, salt or sugar (HFSS) food consumption.

BACKGROUND: Food taxation and food marketing policy are very cost-effectiveness to improve healthy diets among children. The objective of this study was to investigate the socio-demographic characteristics of Thais and attitude towards on policy unhealthy food marketing restriction and sodium taxation which influence high fat, sodium, and sugar (FHSS) food eating. METHODS: The data were obtained from the 2021 Health Behavior of Population Survey, four-stage sampling method of the Thai people, aged 15 years and above, using a offline survey application-assisted face-to-face interview. Logistic Regression were used to analyze the explanatory variables on agreement and HFSS food intake. RESULTS: Almost half (48.4%) of samples disagreed with sodium taxation, and 42.7% of the samples disagreed with food marketing restriction. Most (99.6%) of Thai respondents consumed HFSS food, including sugar sweetened beverages (SSB). Gender, age, education, income, BMI, and health status were associated with agreement with food marketing restriction policy and sodium taxation policy. There is no association between agreement with policy on sodium taxation and food marketing and HFSS food consumption. CONCLUSION: Nearly half of Thais indicated that they disagreed with policy on food marketing restriction and sodium taxation. Therefore, understanding and awareness of the two policies among Thais should be further investigated in order to develop better policy communication for increased public understanding and engagement.

Financial Hardship on Food Security in Ageing Populations.

Objective: This study investigated the prevalence of food security, and the association of food security with financial hardship and socio-demographic characteristics among the ageing population in Thailand. Methods: The study extracted data on 1,197 persons age 60 years or older from a nationally-representative sample survey of Thai households. The food security data were collected using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES), developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization. Multiple regression analysis was used to investigate the association between financial hardship, socio-demographic characteristics, and food security. Results: Of the total sample, 71% had food security. The least probability of having food security was observed in the respondents who sometimes and often had income problems (p < 0.001), and felt dissatisfied with their financial situation (p < 0.001). The respondents who were female, at oldest-old age, with lower than primary school education and in the Northeast were less likely to have food security. Conclusion: These findings suggest the need for government assistance for those who are experiencing financial hardship to help them manage their finances and food security more effectively, taking into account different socio-demographic characteristics.

Financial satisfaction, food security, and shared meals are foundations of happiness among older persons in Thailand.

The objective of this study was to investigate the association between happiness and food-related behaviours and other potential factors among older persons in Thailand. This was a cross-sectional study with multistage random sampling. In total, 1,197 older (age 60 + years) persons participated in this study. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to obtain information about socio-demographic characteristics, health status, household chores, home gardening, financial situation, family meals, and food security. Descriptive and multivariate regression analyses were performed for data analysis. The analysis found that age, health status, household chores, and home gardening were found to be significantly associated with happiness. Statistically-significant associations of financial situation, family meals, and food insecurity with happiness were also observed. People who were not dissatisfied with their financial situation were happier than people who were unhappy with their financial situation. Older people who ate every meal with a family member(s) were happiest. People who had severe food insecurity were less happy than those with food security. The findings suggest the need for investment priorities on food and nutrition with a long-term policy to ensure financial self-sufficiency and food security among older persons and their family.

Strength and stress: Positive and negative impacts on caregivers for older adults in Thailand.

AIM: To understand the experiences of caregivers with older people living in Thailand, particularly as related to quality of life and stress management. METHOD: In-depth interviews with 17 family caregivers were conducted and then data were thematically analysed. RESULTS: Carers experience not only negative impacts but also positive impacts from caregiving. Negative impacts include emotional stress, financial struggles and worry due to lack of knowledge. Positive impacts include affection from care recipients, good relationships with caregivers before needing care themselves and encouragement from the wider community. Opportunities to show gratitude, build karma (from good deeds) and ideas shaped largely by Buddhist teachings result in positive experiences. Negotiating between the extremes of bliss and suffering and understanding suffering as a part of life may help carers manage their stress. CONCLUSIONS: Temples and centres for older people could be engaged to develop caregiving programs.