Protecting children's health from rapid motorization in the Greater Mekong Subregion

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26350923
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Childhood science (childhood environment science)
• Research Institution: University of Tsukuba
• Principal Investigator: ICHIKAWA Masao 筑波大学, 医学医療系, 教授 (20343098)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 子ども環境学 / ヘルスプロモーション / 都市計画

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Physical activity is vital for a child's development but rapid motorization in Laos might have hindered it, increasing the risk of overweight/obesity. Our survey among 431 secondary school students in central Vientiane, the capital of Laos, revealed that only 9% of them achieved a recommended level of physical activity while 20% of them were overweight/obese. Those overweight/obese hold weight loss attempts but still remain physically inactive. No significant association was observed between perceived neighborhood environment and physical activity. Since physical activity is low but the prevalence of overweight/obesity is high among children in the city center of Laos, further public health efforts should be given to increase the level of their physical activity.

Free Research Field

国際保健学