Vietnam is facing a triple burden of nutrition

On April 15, in Hanoi, the National Institute of Nutrition, the Ministry of Health held a conference to announce the results of the National Nutrition Census 2019-2020.

So far, Vietnam is on track to achieve the Global Nutrition Goals (40% reduction in child stunting and stunting by 2025 – Artwork

At the conference, Deputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen emphasized: “This Census of Nutrition is the largest scale ever in the country with the participation of 22400 households in 25 provinces. The street represents 6 ecological regions; simultaneously collects indicators on anthropology, micronutrients, individual diets, as well as information on food security and food safety and hygiene ” .

The rate of stunting in school age children (5-19 years old) is 14.8% (in 2010 this rate was 23.4%)

Ms. Rana Flowers, UNICEF Representative, FAO Representative, General Statistics Office leader, Director of Department of Science, Technology and Training, Ministry of Health commented, Vietnam is facing a triple burden of nutrition, including stunting, overweight, obesity and micronutrient deficiency. The Census is a rich source of data on age, gender, ethnicity, geographic area and socioeconomic status that can help ensure the new strategy targets children and communities. There is a risk of falling behind in general progress.

The census results show that there must be interventions at an urgent level, and approaches need to be reviewed and improved. The results also help to identify priority points, design interventions, and budget for implementation at the central and provincial level, the Northern Uplands and Central Highlands regions, and ethnic minorities. will need to be given priority investment attention.

7 main results of the National Nutrition Census (2019-2020) were announced at the Conference:

1. The diet of the people in 2020

Average energy in the diet reached 2023kcal / person / day, a slight increase compared to the energy level 1925kcal / person / day in 2010. Structure of energy generation from Protein, Lipid, and Glucid (2020) was: 15.8% : 20.2%: 64.0% (% of total energy intake), this structure is considered the recommended balance for Vietnamese people (2016).

The average level of consumption of vegetables and fruits per capita increased from 190.4g vegetables / person / day; 60.9g of ripe fruit / person / day (2010) to 231.0g of vegetables / person / day; 140.7g of ripe fruit / person / day (2020); the consumption of vegetables and fruits is only about 66.4% – 77.4% compared with the recommended demand of the Nutrition Tower for adults;

Meat consumption increased rapidly: From 84.0g / person / day (the average meat consumption nationwide in 2010) to 136.4g / person / day (by 2020); consumption in urban areas is higher, at 155.3g / person / day (2020).

Rice consumption tends to decrease.

There is a growing trend in city schools to increase the consumption of soft drinks and fast foods.

2. The rate of stunting (height / age) in children under 5 years old

The rate of stunting (height / age) among children under 5 years old nationwide is 19.6% – at