However, authorities are concerned that poor diets are already affecting local children physically and may affect their Iqs in the future.
At a seminar on Thursday (October 20), the Chief Administrative Officer of the province, Chaiwat Taephee, said that a poor nutrition was causing problems in Phuket children, some of whose growth was stunted. Others were underweight or overweight.
The meeting heard that the main cause of poor nutrition was the child’s own eating habits, especially when parents allow them to eat whatever they want.
Parents, too, are eating unwisely. This is a particular problem in pregnant women, most of whom are unaware that their own poor diet can have a detrimental effect on the learning skills and mental development in their child, once born.
Mr Chaiwat called for a sustained public awareness campaign to educate both parents and children alike to live healthy lives and eat properly, in the hope that Phuket children can retain their above-average IQ.