VN encounters high rates of malnutrition and obesity
VGP – Việt Nam is facing with both malnutrition and obesity - double burdens on nutrition, said Director of the National Institute of Nutrition Lê Thị Hợp
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The Director made the announcement today at a meeting in Hồ Chí Minh City.
According to Professor Hợp, the slight malnutrition in Vietnamese children dropped dramatically to under 20%.
However, over 30% Vietnamese kids, equal to 2.5 million, are suffering from stunting malnutrition.
Research statistics show that the average height of Vietnamese adults has increased about 1-1.5 centimeters a decade.
Due to high percentage of stunting malnutrition, the average heights of Vietnamese youths (163.7 centimeters for male and 153 centimeters for female) are modest compared to international and regional standards.
In addition, obesity is worrying in big cities in Việt Nam. The rate of overweight and obesity in under-5-year-old children in Hồ Chí Minh City now stands around 8.8%, up 400% within ten past years. The figure in women of reproductive age is 30.1%, increasing 300% in the same period. Obesity will lead to chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes and heart diseases.
The country is conducting the national strategy on nutrition in the period of 2011-2020 with specific policies designed for each region and group./.
By Kim Loan
