Vietnam VN: Prevalence of Overweight: Weight for Height: % of Children Under 5, Modeled Estimate data was reported at 10.500 % in 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 9.800 % for 2023. Vietnam VN: Prevalence of Overweight: Weight for Height: % of Children Under 5, Modeled Estimate data is updated yearly, averaging 4.300 % from Dec 2000 (Median) to 2024, with 25 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 10.500 % in 2024 and a record low of 2.200 % in 2000. Vietnam VN: Prevalence of Overweight: Weight for Height: % of Children Under 5, Modeled Estimate data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Vietnam – Table VN.World Bank.WDI: Social: Health Statistics. Prevalence of overweight children is the percentage of children under age 5 whose weight for height is more than two standard deviations above the median for the international reference population of the corresponding age as established by the WHO's 2006 Child Growth Standards.;UNICEF, WHO, World Bank: Joint child Malnutrition Estimates (JME).;Weighted average;Once considered only a high-income economy problem, overweight children have become a growing concern in developing countries. Research shows an association between childhood obesity and a high prevalence of diabetes, respiratory disease, high blood pressure, and psychosocial and orthopedic disorders (de Onis and Blössner 2003). Childhood obesity is associated with a higher chance of obesity, premature death, and disability in adulthood. In addition to increased future risks, obese children experience breathing difficulties and increased risk of fractures, hypertension, early markers of cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, and psychological effects. Children in low- and middle-income countries are more vulnerable to inadequate nutrition before birth and in infancy and early childhood. Many of these children are exposed to high-fat, high-sugar, high-salt, calorie-dense, micronutrient-poor foods, which tend be lower in cost than more nutritious foods. These dietary patterns, in conjunction with low levels of physical activity, result in sharp increases in childhood obesity, while under-nutrition continues. Estimates are modeled estimates produced by the JME. Primary data sources of the anthropometric measurements are national surveys. These surveys are administered sporadically, resulting in sparse data for many countries. Furthermore, the trend of the indicators over time is usually not a straight line and varies by country. Tracking the current level and progress of indicators helps determine if countries are on track to meet certain thresholds, such as those indicated in the SDGs. Thus the JME developed statistical models and produced the modeled estimates.

Malaysia tipped the ASEAN scale as having the highest share of the population being classified as obese in 2019, with over ** percent of its population classed as obese. Contrastingly, just over *** percent of Vietnam’s population was considered obese in 2019. Obesity in APAC The Asia Pacific region has the highest number of overweight and obese people in the world. Additionally, Australia and New Zealand had the highest share of overweight children globally. Diets across the region are rapidly changing as new food trends emerge. The development of economies across the region has made food more affordable and the transition from agriculture to industrialization has made employment for many citizens less physically demanding. These factors can be seen as having contributed to the rise of obesity across the region. Poor diets However, as the obesity rate increases, the levels of food insecurity across the Asia Pacific region have also risen. Food insecurity in South Asia has notably risen steadily since 2015. Malnutrition and undernourishment continue to be problems for the region, with many of its citizens not consuming enough essential vitamins and minerals in their diets. Furthermore, a low share of children in South and East Asia were eating from the minimum number of food groups in 2019.

Between 2020 and 2035, the population of obese children in Vietnam was projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of *** percent, the highest across the Asia-Pacific region. In contrast, the CAGR for child obesity in Singapore between 2020 and 2035 was projected to be *** percent.

According to a survey on health behaviors, ** percent of Vietnamese respondents stated that they exercised a lot, very often, moderately, or fairly often. In the same survey, ** percent of respondents considered themselves very healthy or healthy. Popular sports and fitness in Vietnam Sports have been ingrained in Vietnamese culture, even during the French colonial period and the Vietnam war. Football has been the most popular sport among Vietnamese people, both for exercising and as sports content for watching, followed by badminton. Exercises in the form of fitness have been growing in popularity in recent years, with walking, running, and cycling being the most favored fitness activities among people of all ages. Despite the growing number of fitness centers across the country, public parks are still the most favored locations for fitness exercises. State of health in Vietnam Compared to its neighbors, Vietnam has the lowest prevalence of obesity in the ASEAN region. On the other hand, the rate of obesity in the country has slowly been increasing, partially due to income growth and the rise in convenience and fast-food consumption. At the same time, health-conscious consumers, especially in urban areas, have been switching to perceived healthier food choices, such as plant-based products and organic food items.

BackgroundPreterm and small for gestational age (SGA) remain significant public health concerns worldwide. Yet limited evidence exists on their growth patterns during childhood from low-or middle-income countries.ObjectivesWe investigated the postnatal growth patterns of preterm and SGA compared to term appropriate for gestational age (AGA) children from birth to 10–11y, and examined the impact of birth status on child nutritional status during the school age years.MethodsChildren born to women who participated in a double-blinded randomized controlled trial of preconception micronutrient supplementation in Vietnam were classified into three groups: preterm AGA (n = 130), full-term SGA (n = 165) and full-term AGA (n = 1,072). Anthropometric data (weight and height) were collected prospectively at birth, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24 months and at 6–7 and 10–11y. We used ANOVA and multiple regression models to examine the differences in growth patterns from birth to 10–11y as well as child undernutrition and overnutrition by birth status.ResultsChildren who were born preterm exhibited rapid postnatal growth, but still had lower HAZ at 1y and 2y and showed catch up to the AGA group at 6y. Compared to those born AGA, SGA infants had higher risk of thinness (BMIZ < −2) at 2y and 6y (adjusted Odds Ratio, AOR [95% CI] 2.5 [1.0, 6.1] and 2.6 [1.4, 4.6], respectively); this risk reduced at 10–11y (1.6 [0.9, 2.8]). The risk of stunting (HAZ