Milk campaign to make Thais taller

The Health Department has set a target of boosting the intake of plain-flavoured milk for a wide range of age groups to 25 litres per person a year by 2027 in a bid to reduce the number of Thai children suffering from obesity or stunted growth.

Speaking after launching a campaign yesterday to mark World Milk Day, as designated by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), department director-general Dr Suwannachai Wattanayingcharoenchai said milk consumption is lower in Thailand than in most other countries.

Thai men grow to 166.8 centimetres on average and women to 157.8cm. The department aims to raise their height to 170cm and 165cm, respectively, within four years.