Status of school health programs in Asia: National policy and implementation.

Background: The WHO's Health Promoting Schools (HPS) framework is based on an understanding of the reciprocal relationship between health and education, and the need to take a holistic approach to health promotion in schools. We aim to clarify the degree to which the HPS framework is reflected in the national policies of eight target countries and the issues surrounding its successful implementation.

Methods: Date were collected through two expert workshops with participants from eight Asian countries: Cambodia, China, Japan, Korea, Lao PDR, Nepal, the Philippines, and Thailand.

Obesity prevalence and contributing factors among adolescents in secondary schools in Pemagatshel district, Bhutan.

Background The prevalence of obesity has increased globally, with childhood and adolescent obesity being more common in developed countries. There has been no study on teenage obesity in Bhutan. In this study, we aimed to assess the prevalence of obesity in Bhutan for the first time in order to provide a baseline for future researchers.

Keys to success for a school-based malaria control program in primary schools in Thailand.

School-based malaria control has been recognized as a new approach for the control of this disease in the Greater Mekong Subregion since 2000. We evaluated a school-based malaria control program near the western border of Thailand using a before-after intervention study. The major intervention activities included teacher training with specialized malaria teaching materials and participatory learning methods.

Risk factors of helminthiases among schoolchildren in southern Thailand.

School-age children are particularly at risk of soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH), which affects their growth and development. Hence, school-based helminthiasis control has been discussed and conducted as one of cost-effective ways in developing countries. A parasite control program is to be planned and conducted in an evidence based way as one of practical medical fields.