Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)Deputy Director of the National Institute of Nutrition Truong Tuyet Mai said Vietnam has achieved significant achievementsin improving the nutritional conditions of its people, especially the rate of childmalnutrition which has decreased rapidly and sustainably.
According to annualnutrition surveillance data, the rate of underweight malnutrition among children decreasedfrom 33.8% in 2000 to 14.1% in 2015 and only 11.6% in 2020.
Vietnam has also eradicated blindness due to vitamin Adeficiency. Meanwhile, public awareness of nutrition and thenutritional knowledge and practices of people have improved.
However, the rate of malnutrition and stunting in children under 5 years old remains high, at19.6% in 2020, and there are disparities among regions. The rate of overweightand obesity in school-age children (5 - 19 years old) increased from 8.5% in2010 to 19.0% in 2020.
Moreover, the rates of micronutrient deficiencies among women and children are still alarming, with under-five children and women suffering from nutrition anaemia accounting for 19.6% and 25.6%, respectively. Meanwhile, 9.5% of under-five children suffer from vitamin A deficiency and the rate of zinc deficiency in children is 58%, according to the 2019-2020 national nutrition survey.
Dr. Vu Van Tan from the NationalInstitute of Nutrition said that Vitamin Asupplementation is essential for the health and comprehensive development ofchildren.
According to Tan, throughtwo annual campaigns to provide vitamin A supplements for children from 6-59months nationwide, the rate of children receiving vitamin A regularly ismaintained at over 98% (equivalent to more than 6 million children). High-dosevitamin A supplementation for children has become an annual activity in morethan 11,000 communes and wards nationwide.
All localities nationwide implemented the first campaign this year as planned, givingvitamin A supplements to 2,747,349 children from 6-35 months, and 2,265,727children from 6-59 months, equivalent to 99.0%, and 99.1% of the total, respectively.
As many as 653,134 children without permanent residence and those at high risk of vitamin A deficiency also received vitamin Asupplements in this campaign./.
Dr. Vu Van Tan from the NationalInstitute of Nutrition said that Vitamin Asupplementation is essential for the health and comprehensive development ofchildren.
According to Tan, throughtwo annual campaigns to provide vitamin A supplements for children from 6-59months nationwide, the rate of children receiving vitamin A regularly ismaintained at over 98% (equivalent to more than 6 million children). High-dosevitamin A supplementation for children has become an annual activity in morethan 11,000 communes and wards nationwide.
All localities nationwide implemented the first campaign this year as planned, givingvitamin A supplements to 2,747,349 children from 6-35 months, and 2,265,727children from 6-59 months, equivalent to 99.0%, and 99.1% of the total, respectively.
As many as 653,134 children without permanent residence and those at high risk of vitamin A deficiency also received vitamin Asupplements in this campaign./.
VNA
