Viet Nam battles dual crisis of child undernutrition and rising obesity

Viet Nam is tackling a growing health challenge as both undernutrition and rising obesity affect its youngest citizens. Authorities have marked better school nutrition and physical fitness as a national priority, with government ministries rolling out new measures to address the issue. The country faces what experts call a 'double burden of malnutrition', where stunted growth and excess weight appear side by side. While stunting among under-fives dropped from 29.3% in 2010 to 19.6% in 2020, obesity rates in the same age group now stand at 7.4%. Urban areas report even higher figures.

Among older children, the problem has worsened. Overweight and obesity in 5- to 19-year-olds doubled to 19% by 2020. Yet some progress has been made in physical activity, with 13- to 17-year-olds meeting WHO guidelines rising from 20.5% in 2013 to 24.1% in 2019. Last year, the Ministry of Education and Training and the Ministry of Health announced plans for stricter school nutrition standards. The scheme includes better hygiene, healthier meals, and health education in lessons. Officials also noted improvements in child development, pointing to an average height increase of 3.7cm for 18-year-old boys since 2010, now reaching 168.1cm.

The government’s focus on nutrition and fitness aims to curb rising obesity while maintaining gains against undernutrition. Schools will play a central role in delivering healthier diets and encouraging physical activity under the new regulations.