Vietnam sees sharp rise in obesity
Vietnam has witnessed a considerable rise in the rate of obese children, showing the country’s ineffective efforts in controlling obesity.
The information was given by Professor Le Danh Tuyen, head of the National Institute of Nutrition at a recent meeting on a national nutrition strategy in the 2021-2030 period.
According to Tuyen, Vietnam made remarkable achievements in the implementation of a national nutrition strategy during the 2011-2020 phase.
In 2020, the rate of Vietnamese stunted children under five was 19.6% compared to 29.3% in 2010. Meanwhile, the rate of underweight children was 5.2% in 2019 compared to 7.1% in 2010.
In 2020, the average height of Vietnamese men was 168.1cm compared to 164.4cm in 2010. The figure was 155.6cm for women, up against 154.8cm in 2010. Vietnam currently ranks fourth in Southeast Asia in terms of height.
Professor Tuyen said that up to around 20% of children aged between five and 19 in Vietnam are currently overweight. The rate of obese children in this age group in cities such as Hanoi, HCM City, Dalat and Haiphong has increased to 7.4% against 5.6% in 2010.
Tuyen blamed meat for the increase in obesity in Vietnam. At present, the average consumption of meat per person in Vietnam is 134 grams per day. The figure is up to 154 grams in cities.
In 2010, Vietnamese ate 190 grams of vegetables and 60.9 grams of fruit compared to 230 grams and 127 grams respectively today. However, only 65% of Vietnamese people ate sufficient amounts of vegetables and fruit.
The country has faced a rise in the number of people with diabetes, cancer and strokes, which have been partially blamed on unsuitable nutrition.
Under the 2021-2030 National Nutrition Strategy, the country will focus on dealing with problems which were not solved between 2010 and 2020.
