The obesity rate has swelled, especially among children under five,National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) Deputy Director Le Bach Mai saidon October 10.
The number of children under five who areoverweight or obese reached 6.3 percent in 2013, an increase of ninetimes compared to 2000, according to NIN. In Ho Chi Minh City , thispercentage was more than 11 percent.
Meanwhile, the number of overweight and obese adults doubled from 6.6 percent in 2005 to 13 percent in 2013.
Poornutrition was the main cause for the increasing obesity rate, as wellas the rapid increase of non-transmitted diseases such as high bloodpressure and diabetes, Mai said, adding that those preferring softdrinks were 3.2 times more likely to be overweight or obese.
Vietnam has nearly five million diabetes patients; the diabetes rateof people aged between 20-79 increased from 1.2 percent in 1990 to 5.8percent in 2013, according to the health ministry.
Eating less sugar and salt will help prevent obesity as well as these corresponding diseases, Mai said.
TheNIN will organise a nationwide nutrition week from October 16-23. Theannual event aims to raise awareness about preventing malnutritionthrough the improvement of daily family meals. During the week, theinstitute will collaborate with localities to promote knowledge ongardening and husbandry as well as daily nutrition among families,especially in mountainous, remote and natural disaster-prone areas.
Acommunications campaign will encourage people to eat more nutritiousfood, teach food safety and hygiene habits and confront children'smalnutrition and obesity prevention issues.-VNA
The number of children under five who areoverweight or obese reached 6.3 percent in 2013, an increase of ninetimes compared to 2000, according to NIN. In Ho Chi Minh City , thispercentage was more than 11 percent.
Meanwhile, the number of overweight and obese adults doubled from 6.6 percent in 2005 to 13 percent in 2013.
Poornutrition was the main cause for the increasing obesity rate, as wellas the rapid increase of non-transmitted diseases such as high bloodpressure and diabetes, Mai said, adding that those preferring softdrinks were 3.2 times more likely to be overweight or obese.
Vietnam has nearly five million diabetes patients; the diabetes rateof people aged between 20-79 increased from 1.2 percent in 1990 to 5.8percent in 2013, according to the health ministry.
Eating less sugar and salt will help prevent obesity as well as these corresponding diseases, Mai said.
TheNIN will organise a nationwide nutrition week from October 16-23. Theannual event aims to raise awareness about preventing malnutritionthrough the improvement of daily family meals. During the week, theinstitute will collaborate with localities to promote knowledge ongardening and husbandry as well as daily nutrition among families,especially in mountainous, remote and natural disaster-prone areas.
Acommunications campaign will encourage people to eat more nutritiousfood, teach food safety and hygiene habits and confront children'smalnutrition and obesity prevention issues.-VNA
