The height of young Vietnamese increases after 10 years

This information is in the results of the National Nutrition Survey 2019-2020 published on April 15.
Specifically, the height of Vietnamese youth in the 18-year-old male group by 2020 will reach 168.1 cm (an increase of 3.7 cm compared to 2010). This figure for women is 156.2 cm (an increase of 2.4 cm compared to 2010).

In addition, this result also shows that the average energy level in the Vietnamese diet is 2,023 calories / person / day, a slight increase compared to 1,925 calories in 2010.

According to the survey results, the amount of vegetables and fruits in Vietnam has increased, but only reached 66.4 – 77.4% of the recommended demand from the nutrition pyramid. Meanwhile, Vietnamese people are consuming more meat with 136.4 g / person / day (compared with 84 g in 2010).

Notably, at schools in the city, the consumption of soft drinks and fast food tends to increase. Parallel is the rate of overweight and obesity among school-age children (5-19 years old), increasing from 8.5% in 2010 to 19% in 2020.

The rate of meat consumption of Vietnamese people increased rapidly, while vegetables and fruits still did not meet the recommendation. Photo: Eatthisnotthat.

In contrast, the rate of stunting in children under 5 years old nationwide is 19.6%. This rate is ranked as average by the World Health Organization (WHO). Vietnam still has regional disparities in stunting rates.

Meanwhile, the proportion of Vietnamese people with preclinical vitamin A deficiency and anemia was mild. However, the number of people with zinc deficiency is quite large, especially for high-risk groups such as children, mothers …

At the Conference announcing the results of the National Nutrition Census 2019-2020, Ms. Rana Flowers, UNICEF Representative in Vietnam, said that the triple burden of nutrition, including stunting and overweight fertility and micronutrient deficiency, Vietnam needs urgent interventions, reviewing and improving its approach.

Deputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen said: “This Census of Nutrition is the largest scale ever. The survey was conducted on a national scale with 22,400 households in 25 provinces and cities. representing 6 ecological regions; simultaneously collecting indicators on anthropology, micronutrients, individual diets as well as information on food security and food safety and hygiene “.

Meanwhile, Professor, Dr. Le Danh Tuyen, Director of the National Institute of Nutrition, said that this National Nutrition Census has important implications in evaluating the goals of the National Strategy on Nutrition. period 2011-2020 and provide scientific evidence to serve the drafting of the strategy for the next phase.