Nevertheless, it is equally well recognized that there is still a serious malnutrition problem in Thailand. The problem,as particularly related to protein energy malnutrition or PEM,is severe among preschool children. Pregnant woman and lactating mother, in urban slums and rural areas.
In 1982 , a survey of malnutrition problem was undertaken. Out of a total 1.4 million to be based on the identification and measurement of the most important factors determining the nutritional status of the Thai people. To date,availble empirical studies indicate that family oncome and family size are the major determinants of the nutritional status of the urban poor while family income and strong preference to consume glutinous rice are the main causes of malnutrition among the North-east rural population.Hence,more emphasis on the improvement of the socioeconomic conditions through income policy and family planning for promote the local production of nutritive toods and extend nutrition education to the rural people in the Northeast can be justified as rational choices for additional public investments.
Children nationwide, about one-third of them were found to suffer from first degrec malnutrition. Another 12 percent suffered from second degree malnutrotion.wherecas 2 percent experienced the most serious third degree malnutrition. The problem in the North-eastern region was the most acute as 64 percent of the children there suffered from some kind of malnutrition. The urban poor were another target group with malnutrition problem. In Bangkok siums,it was found that 40 percent of households have energy intake far below the recommended levels.
These are briefly the dimensions of nutrition problem in Thailand. It Thailand. It is a problem which calls for concerted efforts from nutritionists,health officals,national planners and social scientists.I hope you will include economics among the social scientists. After all, economics is known to be one of the oldest social sciences.