Young Thai Adults Research Articles

A controlled trial comparing the impact of guided forest bathing or a mindful urban walk on heart rate, blood pressure, and mood in young Thai adults

Abstract In Thailand, cardiovascular disease and mental health cause a large health and economic burden, with 10% of Thai adults and 32% of adolescents reporting depression. Forest bathing (FB) (mindful nature walking) is growing in popularity globally as a preventative health intervention. Most FB research compares FB with a non‐active control of unguided urban walking, finding improved health and well‐being in FB but not the urban condition. This controlled trial offers a unique and robust comparison of guided FB with an active control of guided mindful urban walking. This is also the first study testing the acceptability and effectiveness of guided FB in Thailand. In a crossover design, heart rate, heart rate variability, blood pressure, and mood in 30 participants were compared before and after 1 h of guided FB and a guided mindful urban walk. MANOVA and t‐test analyses revealed that heart rate and blood pressure reduced in both conditions, but more in the mindful urban condition. Whilst negative mood was reduced in the FB condition but increased in the mindful urban condition. The study offers evidence for the promising health and well‐being benefits of both guided FB and mindful urban walking. Poor mental health and health inequalities are of increasing global concern, hence further research into the effectiveness of alleviating these difficulties through inexpensive interventions such as guided FB and mindful walking are encouraged. The study also offers the first data indicating that FB was acceptable and effective in a Thai population. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Validation and Measurement Invariance of the Tendency to Avoid Physical Activity and Sport Scale (TAPAS) Among Thai Young Adults.

Examining ways of reducing physical inactivity has been at the forefront of public health research. Moreover, valid and reliable scales are needed to objectively assess physical activity (PA) avoidance. Previous research has shown that experiencing weight stigma and physical appearance-related concerns are associated with physical inactivity. However, there is currently no Thai instrument that assesses physical inactivity in relation to weight stigma. Therefore, the present study examined the psychometric properties of the Thai version of the Tendency to Avoid Physical Activity and Sport Scale (TAPAS). Thai university students (N = 612) recruited via convenience sampling completed an online survey using SurveyMonkey between September 2022 and January 2023. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), multigroup CFA, and Pearson correlations (between TAPAS scores, age, body mass index, and time spent exercising) were used to analyze the data. The CFA showed robust psychometric properties for the Thai version of TAPAS regarding its unidimensional structure. The TAPAS was measurement invariant across sex, weight status, and daily hours of exercise. However, no significant Pearson correlations were found. In general, the results showed that the TAPAS is a good scale for assessing PA avoidance among Thai young adults across different sexes, weight status, and daily hours of exercise.

New Body Mass Index Cut-Off Point for Obesity Diagnosis in Young Thai Adults.

Obesity is a global health threat affecting people of all ages, especially young adults. Early diagnosis of obesity allows for effective treatments and the prevention of its consequences. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of obesity in Thai young adults, evaluate the extent to which BMI values indicate excess adiposity, and identify the most appropriate BMI diagnostic cut-point based on body fat percentage. The study included 186 young adults aged 20 to 35 years. The diagnosis of obesity using body mass index (BMI) was compared with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry-derived body fat percentage, considered the gold standard. The appropriate BMI cut-point was established using ROC curve analysis and the Youden index. Obesity was more common in women and in urban areas. BMI and body fat were significantly correlated; however, there was a high rate of false-negative obesity diagnosis based on the conventional BMI cut-off, a condition known as normal weight obesity (NWO). The newly proposed BMI cut-off points that best correlated with body fat and corrected false negatives were 22.1 kg/m2 for men and 22.5 kg/m2 for women. These new BMI cut-points should be applied together with clinical evaluations for obesity assessment in this particularly high-risk group.

Coping and resilience among the youth during the extended COVID-19 restrictions: Exploring lessons learnt from coaching-based interventions

According to research across various countries, the mental health and psychosocial well-being of the youth have been deeply impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Hence, it is imperative to address the rising problems and develop resources for future preparedness. Applying insights from their previous mixed methods research, the authors integrate a coaching framework within a qualitative approach to design an intervention to support young participants. This research had three aims: firstly, to explore the experiences of the youth affected by the extended pandemic restrictions; secondly, to utilise coaching to help participants explore their coping strategies; and thirdly, to synthesise the lessons learnt for future applications. Purposive sampling was utilised to invite participants from the target group of 21–35 years. Participation was voluntary and the ethical practices of research followed. Sixteen participants joined the in-depth interviews and research sessions from May to June 2021. These participants included seven Indians and nine Thai young adults. Thematic analyses of data revealed that while the participants experienced both challenges and stresses, they also reported strategies of adjustment to the extended pandemic restrictions. The emerging themes were consolidated and discussed within the theoretical frameworks of coping and resilience. The participants’ feedback on coaching confirmed its usefulness as an intervention in a challenging context. The implications of these findings are discussed to rethink the paradigms to support the psychosocial well-being of the youth dealing with challenges for future preparedness.

Effect of post COVID-19 on body composition, physical fitness, sleep quality and quality of life among young adults: a cross-sectional study of matched pairs.

Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) causes lung tissue inflammation, affects mental health, and disturbs sleep and the musculoskeletal system. This study aimed to investigate the effects of COVID-19 on physical function and quality of life by comparing the body composition, physical fitness, sleep quality and quality of life between Thai young adults with and without post COVID-19 infection. A cross-sectional study was comprised of two matched groups (post COVID-19 group and non COVID-19 group) with 36 participants in each group. Data about body composition, physical fitness, sleep quality and quality of life were collected using the bioelectrical impedance analysis, the 1-min sit-to-stand test, the hand grip strength test, the Pittsburgh sleep quality questionnaire and the EuroQol-5D-5L, respectively. Independent samples T-test, Mann-Whitney U test and Chi-square test were used to compare between the two groups. The changes in oxygen saturation and respiratory rate after the physical fitness test and the sleep quality analysis showed a statistically significant difference between the groups with and without post COVID-19 infection (p = 0.006, p = 0.003 and p = 0.003, respectively). However, quality of life and body composition were not significantly different between groups. COVID-19 influenced the changes in oxygen saturation and respiratory rate after the physical fitness test and the sleep quality analysis in young adults. The results should be utilized to facilitate physical rehabilitation for COVID-19-infected individuals following infection. Those who have not been infected with COVID-19 must be informed of self-protection measures to avoid contracting the virus.

Metabolic and inflammatory profiles, gut microbiota and lifestyle factors in overweight and normal weight young thai adults.

Obesity among young adults, especially those living in developing countries is increasing. A high body mass index (BMI) is one of the major causes of several diseases worldwide, constituting an important risk factor for non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Investigations describing the relationship between BMI, clinical and gut microbiota characteristics and lifestyle factors of overweight young adults, especially from Southeast Asian countries are limited. Metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers, fecal microbiota profiles and lifestyle factors were compared between overweight Thai young adults (n = 30, mean age 33 ± 9.48) and those with normal weight (n = 30, mean age 27 ±7.50). This study was registered with the Thai Clinical Trials Registry (TCTR20220204007). Health status including body composition, fasting glucose and insulin, lipid profiles, liver and kidney function, inflammatory biomarkers, blood pressure and fecal microbiota using 16S rRNA gene sequencing data was determined. Dietary intake was assessed using a 3-day dietary record and a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), with physical activity levels compared using the international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ). The overweight group had significantly higher BMI, waist-hip ratio, body fat mass, % body fat, skeletal mass, triglyceride level, C-reactive protein, insulin and blood pressure, with lower levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and blood urea nitrogen compared to the normal weight group. Significant differences in fecal microbiota composition at the family and genus levels were observed between the two groups. In our clinical setting, we also observed that unhealthy diets with high consumption of food rich in fat and sugar, processed meat and alcohol, and physical inactivity were associated with an increased prevalence of overweight in Thai young adults. Results provided the big picture of health and lifestyle characteristics of overweight young Thai people. Young adults should be encouraged to engage in health-promoting activities that maintain healthy bodyweight.

Reliability and validation of the Thai version of the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT-THA)

Purpose This study aimed to provide a version of Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) for the Thai younger adult population and examine psychometric properties and determine the cut-off score. Methods CAIT-Youth Thai version was modified to CAIT Thai version (CAIT-THA). To validate the CAIT-THA psychometric properties, 72 with chronic ankle instability (CAI) and 72 without (age 23.45 ± 4.45 years) were recruited. The validation was carried out by using internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha), concurrent validity (Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient), discriminative validity (Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve), and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient; ICC). A cut-off score was determined via Youden’s index. Results Validation showed good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.837), and concurrent validity (Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient = 0.762 and 0.731 for right ankle and left ankle, respectively). Test-retest reliability was excellent with ICC (2,1) of 0.945 (95% CI = 0.93–0.96). A cut-off score of ≤ 25, determined by ROC curve and Youden’s index, was distinguished between participants with and without CAI. CAIT-THA obtained 97.2% sensitivity, 94.4% specificity, 0.03 negative, and 17.5 positive likelihood ratios. Conclusion CAIT-THA is a validated tool that can be used in Thai younger adults. Clinicians and researchers can confidently use a score of ≤ 25 to determine the presence of CAI. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION The Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool Thai version (CAIT-THA) questionnaire is available for Thai young adults. The CAIT-THA had high sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative likelihood cut-off ratio scores for discrimination between chronic ankle instability (CAI) and non-CAI. The CAIT-THA questionnaire may be used in rehabilitation and research settings for the identification and management of CAI conditions.

Long-Term Health Associated with Small and Large for Gestational Age Births among Young Thai Adults.

We examined the long-term health outcomes associated with being born small for gestational age (SGA) or large for gestational age (LGA). A total of 632 young adults aged ≈20.6 years were recruited from a longitudinal study (Chiang Mai, Thailand) in 2010: 473 born appropriate for gestational age (AGA), 142 SGA, and 17 LGA. The clinical assessments included anthropometry, blood pressure (BP), lipid profile, and an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Young adults born SGA were 1.8 and 3.2 cm shorter than AGA (p = 0.0006) and LGA (p = 0.019) participants, respectively. The incidence of short stature was 8% among SGA compared with 3% in AGA and no cases among LGA participants, with the adjusted relative risk (aRR) of short stature among SGA 2.70 times higher than that of AGA counterparts (p = 0.013). SGA participants also had a 2 h glucose 7% higher than that of the AGA group (105 vs. 99 mg/dL; p = 0.006). Young adults born LGA had a BMI greater by 2.42 kg/m2 (p = 0.025) and 2.11 kg/m2 (p = 0.040) than those of SGA and AGA, respectively. Thus, the rate of overweight/obesity was 35% in the LGA group compared with 14.2% and 16.6% of SGA and AGA groups, respectively, with corresponding aRR of overweight/obesity of 2.95 (p = 0.011) and 2.50 (p = 0.017), respectively. LGA participants had markedly higher rates of BP abnormalities (prehypertension and/or hypertension) with an aRR of systolic BP abnormalities of 2.30 (p = 0.023) and 2.79 (p = 0.003) compared with SGA and AGA groups, respectively. Thai young adults born SGA had an increased risk of short stature and displayed some impairment in glucose metabolism. In contrast, those born LGA were at an increased risk of overweight/obesity and elevated blood pressure. The long-term follow-up of this cohort is important to ascertain whether these early abnormalities accentuate over time, leading to overt cardiometabolic conditions.

Relationship of obesity with lifestyle and eating habits among Thai young adults: Cross-sectional study

Relationship of obesity with lifestyle and eating habits among Thai young adults: Cross-sectional study

Computational Journalism Analysis on Young Adults' Body Images and Attitudes Toward Plastic Surgery

Computational journalism, especially social media analysis, is a very popular field in computational science. This study was conducted to explore and analyze the impact of the intensity of the exposure to social media on young Thai adults' body images and attitudes toward plastic surgery. The purposive sampling method was used for choosing 250 young Thai men and women aged 21 to 40 who used Facebook and/or Instagram on a regular basis. Online survey questionnaires were posted on Facebook for one month to achieve the results. It was found that young Thai adults frequently and heavily used both social media. Having appearance pressure from and repeated social comparison with idealistic media images, a considerable number of participants displayed more negative self-perceptions and engaged in appearance-changing strategies through increased appearance investment. The results showed that the more these young adults were exposed to social media, the more they were likely to develop a negative body image of themselves, which later caused their attitude toward plastic surgery to be positive.

Factors associated with stroke in Thai young adults: an integrative review

Factors associated with stroke in Thai young adults: an integrative review

The relationship between culture, food liking, and body mass index in Australian and Thai young adults.

An individual's liking of food may be associated with Body Mass Index (BMI) due to its subsequent impact on food consumption. This study investigates the association between food liking and BMI in young adults from Australia and Thailand. Food liking data were collected via a validated online Food Liking Questionnaire (FLQ). Food liking scores were calculated for overall liking of groupings of foods: grains, vegetables, fruits, dairy, animal protein, plant-based protein, fat and oil, sweet food, salty food, and alcohol. The relationship between food liking and BMI (calculated from self-reported height and weight) was assessed using linear regression models including country and gender, and mean differences were assessed using independent sample t-test. Data were available from n=4,173 participants (BMI=22.25 (SD 4.18), age=20.6 (SD 4.22) years, female=71.6%, Thai=52.5%). There were significant differences of food liking between countries for all of food groups (p<0.01) except for animal-based protein and plantbased protein liking. BMI was positively, but weakly, associated with liking of animal-based protein (β=0.20 [0.12, 0.28], p<0.001), and alcohol (β=0.08 [0.02, 0.13], p<0.01) and negatively associated with plant-based protein (β=-0.09 [-0.18, -0.01], p<0.05). There was significant difference of food liking between weight status for all of food groups. This study supports only minor associations between food liking and BMI, but cultural and gender variation in liking was evident.

Materializing gay identity

Abstract This paper aims at investigating (1) whether young Thai adults can distinguish between straight male and gay-sounding speech and (2) how listeners feel about speech sounds performed by Thai straight and gay speakers in varying situations in terms of likeability and annoyance. Two experiments were conducted: first, straight males, gay males and females listened to voice stimuli of self-identified straight males and gay males and were asked to identify the sexual orientation of the speakers; second, another three groups of listeners were asked to rate the speakers’ levels of likeability and annoyance using a 5-point Likert scale. The findings indicate that there exist voice characteristics of gay- as opposed to straight-male sounding speech. Regarding the listeners’ perception in relation to speech style in four varying situations, the results indicate that listeners’ perception is not affected by situations in which the speech is delivered.

A1809 The impact of obesity on hypertension in Thai population; critical issue for young Thai adults

A1809 The impact of obesity on hypertension in Thai population; critical issue for young Thai adults

Subclinical atherosclerosis in young Thai adults with juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract Background Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in adult patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Increased risk of CVD and atherosclerosis has been demonstrated in children with SLE. However, evidence of atherosclerosis in adults with juvenile-onset SLE is limited and their additional CVD risk factors unclear. Objectives To investigate the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis in young Thai adults with juvenile-onset SLE, and evaluate atherosclerotic risk factors. Methods We recruited a cohort of patients aged 18-40 years who had been diagnosed SLE before the age of 18 years for this observational study. Patients with chronic kidney disease stage IV or V, alcoholism, chronic liver disease, or life threatening illness were excluded. Common carotid intima-media thickness (CCIMT) was measured. Clinical and laboratory parameters, treatment, and SLE-related factors, which could be risk factors for atherosclerosis and classic risk factors were obtained. Results We enrolled 29 patients (24 female). Their mean age was 25.1 years and mean disease duration 11.3 years. The age of participants, persistent proteinuria and use of cyclosporin correlated with increased CCIMT by multivariable analysis (P = 0.02, 0.02, and 0.03, respectively). These patients had significantly abnormal CCIMT when compared with a healthy population (mean 690 (SD 150) μm versus mean 447 (SD 76) μm, respectively; P &lt; 0.001). Conclusions Subclinical atherosclerosis, identified by abnormal CCIMT, appears in young adults with juvenile-onset SLE. The CCIMT abnormality progresses with increasing age, and persistent proteinuria and use of cyclosporin appears to increase the risk for atherosclerosis.

Measles susceptibility in young Thai men suggests need for young adult measles vaccination: a cross sectional study.

BackgroundMeasles remains a major public health concern in Thailand despite the introduction of vaccination since 1984. Similar to other countries, Thailand has experienced numerous measles outbreaks including adult communities such as university student dormitories, prisons, refugee camps, and military recruit camps. These outbreaks raise questions on the seroprotective antibody level in Thai adults.MethodsTo better understand measles susceptibility in young Thai adults, a retrospective measles seroprevalence study on repository serum specimens obtained with informed consent from young Thai men entering the Royal Thai Army (RTA) during 2007–2008 was conducted. A total of 7760 stratified randomized samples were chosen by residence province. Measles IgG titer was measured using a commercial IgG quantitative ELISA kit following the manufacturer’s instructions. An antibody level ≥ 250 International Units per Liter (IU/L) was interpreted as seropositive.ResultsThe overall measles seroprevalence was 78.5 % (95 % Confidence Interval: 77.6–79.4 %) with geometric mean titer of 738 IU/L (95 % Confidence Interval: 716–760 IU/L). The measles seroprevalence by province ranged from 59.6 % to 93.1 %. A trend of decreasing seroprevalence in the younger cohorts despite increasing immunization coverage was found. Lower seroprevalence than vaccination coverage was observed in the youngest age group.ConclusionsTo achieve long term measles control and elimination, an integrated two doses vaccination strategy has been implemented in children in Thailand. This nationwide measles seroprevalence study in young adult RTA recruits found a measles seroprevalence lower than WHO’s recommendation for measles outbreak prevention and elimination. These results raise concerns for measles control in Thailand. Supplementary immunization in young adults is essential especially in high-risk and densely populated communities to establish herd immunity for outbreak prevention and elimination.

Relationship between body composition parameters and metabolic syndrome in young Thai adults.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between body composition parameters, i.e. waist circumference, android fat mass (AFM), gynoid fat mass (GFM), android to gynoid fat mass ratio (AG ratio) and metabolic syndrome (MS) risk components in young Thai adults.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 391 adolescents (174 male, 217 female). The body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, blood pressure, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and glucose levels were determined. AFM, GFM and AG ratio were assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Linear regression analysis was done to assess the relationship of waist circumference, AFM, GFM and AG ratio with MS risk components’ score, separately.Results: Among 391 young adults aged 18.5-21.8 years, MS was found in 5.9%. Participants with MS (n=23) had a significantly higher weight, height and BMI than those without MS. There was no statistically significant difference in bone mineral density between the two groups. At univariable linear regression analysis, waist circumferences, AFM, GFM and AG ratio showed significant relationship with MS risk components’ score. However, after adjusting for gender, birth weight and BMI, AG ratio demonstrated greater relationship with MS risk components’ score (β 1.89, 95%CI 1.096-2.978) than waist circumference (β 0.046, 95%CI 0.033-0.058) and AFM (β 0.979, 95%CI 0.667-1.290). No significant association was observed between GFM and MS risk components’ score (β 0.077, 95%CI -0.089-0.243).Conclusion: The results from this study indicated that AG ratio is a stronger predictor of MS than waist circumference and AFM in young Thai adults. The role of AG ratio for the diagnosis of MS needs to be further investigated.

Validation and application of hair analysis for the detection of methamphetamine in young Thai adults

Abstract Background: To date, blood and urine analyses have been the major methods of detecting methamphetamine (MA) use in Thailand. Recently, hair analysis has been introduced as an alternative and complementary procedure. Objectives: To validate a simple, rapid, and economical method of analyzing hair for MA and its metabolite, amphetamine (AM). Methods: The analysis employed solid-phase microextraction (SPME) coupled with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Simplicity, rapidity, and economy were achieved, in part, by optimizing SPME conditions and by eliminating deuterated reagents and the derivatization step in GC-MS. The validated method was employed to detect and quantify MA in 1,111 hair samples of young Thai research volunteers who reported using MA in the form of so-called “yaba” tablets at least 3 times during the previous 3 months. Results: Validated data from the study indicated that the method’s linearity, accuracy, precision, limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) met international standards for hair analysis of MA. Expressed as ng of MA per mg of hair (ng/mg), the LOQ was 0.5 ng/mg (102.39% accuracy, 5.46% precision). The method was less sensitive for quantification of AM in hair, with a LOQ of 2.5 ng/mg (103.41% accuracy, 6.95% precision). Using 0.5 ng/mg as a cutoff in the analysis of samples provided by admitted MA users, the study yielded an overall detection rate for MA of 35.5%, with a range of 0.51-54.61 ng/mg; the mean MA level was 4.90 ± 6.78 (±SD) ng/mg. Thirty-one percent of the participants reported they had consumed fewer than 10 yaba tablets during the previous 3 months. Of this group, 29% had hair samples that tested positive for MA. Detection rates trended upwards with increased yaba use. No relationship was found between the number of yaba tablets reportedly consumed and the concentration of MA detected in hair. Conclusions: This study validated a rapid, simple, and economical SPME/GC-MS technique for quantification of MA in hair. The method was less sensitive for quantification of AM.

The performance of obesity screening tools among young Thai adults.

Obesity is a worldwide medical condition that leads to physical and psychological impairment. Specific ethnicity, gender and age group are related to different performances of anthropometric indices to predict obesity. The objectives of this study were to estimate the performance of the anthropometric indices for detecting obesity based on percentage of body fat (PBF), to study the correlation among those indices, and to determine the optimal cut-off point of the indices among young Thai adults. This is a cross-sectional study of healthy urban subjects in Khon Kaen, Thailand who were aged 20-39years. Baseline characteristics and anthropometric measures were collected. PBF was determined using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Demographic data and anthropometric variables were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to compare the performance of anthropometric measures as predictors of obesity. One-hundred men and 100 women were recruited for this study. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and waist-to-stature ratio (WSR) were significantly correlated to PBF. BMI demonstrated the best performance according to the area under the ROC curves in both sexes at cut-off points of 22.5 in women or 25kg/m(2) in men. WC and WSR showed better performance than WHR to detect obesity. In conclusion, anthropometric indices in young Thai adults were correlated well with PBF to predict obesity as shown in prior reports. Different cut-off points of these indices to define obesity in young Thai adults are recommended. The global cut-off points of WSR in women regardless of ethnicity are supported.

Relationship Between Total Body Adiposity Assessed by Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry, Birth Weight and Metabolic Syndrome in Young Thai Adults

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare body fat distribution using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in young adult subjects with metabolic syndrome (MS) with those without MS and also to determine whether a significant association existed between total body fat mass (FM) and MS along with the effect of birth weight.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 393 young adult subjects (175 male, 218 female). Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, blood pressure, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and glucose levels were determined. Total body FM, lean mass (LM) and percentage of body fat (%BF) were assessed by DXA. Adult Treatment Panel III criteria were used for the diagnosis of MS.Results: The prevalence of MS was 5.6% among this group of young adult subjects aged 18.5-21.8 years. Subjects with MS (n=22) had significantly higher values for weight, height, BMI, waist circumference, %BF, total body FM, total body LM, and regional FM and LM. There was no statistically significant difference in bone mineral density between the two groups. There was also no association between birth weight and MS. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that every 5 kg of total body FM (OR 1.68; 95%CI 1.06-2.66) adjusted for gender, birth weight status, and total body LM were significantly associated with MS.Conclusion: Total body FM measured by DXA was related to MS in Thai young adults. Thus, body composition analysis might have a role in the identification of subjects with MS status.Conflict of interest:None declared.