Statistics show that the stunting rate in Vietnam remains high at 24.3 percent, while obesity in urban areas is rising rapidly. Public awareness of nutrition is said to be low.
Vegetable, meat, shrimp and fish are basic kinds of nutrition that mothers normally choose for their children in daily meals. However, not many of them know how much nutrition is enough. Many mothers think kids need to gain weight to be healthy.
Tong Thu Thuy, a mother of two living in Ninh Binh province said it was hard to know how much nutrition is enough. If we want our kids to gain weight, maybe we have to consult doctors, she added.
Sharing the viewpoint, Le Thi Loan, another mother in Ninh Binh province told reporters: "It’s difficult to know, only by doing test. I can only let them eat vegetables, fruit, meat and fish, that’s it."
Childhood malnutrition is now concerning experts. Data show that as many as 13 percent of under five children in Vietnam now don’t get enough Vitamin A, while the rate of zinc deficiency is up to 70 percent.
According to Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Long, Deputy Minister of Health, Vietnam is now facing a serious deficiency of Vitamin A and folic acid. Nutrition imbalance between regions is also worrying us. The Ministry of Health launches campaigns every year to give more children Vitamin A, since the rate of vitamin A deficiency is still high.
As many as 1 million Vietnamese children receive vitamin A during the annual campaign in all cities and provinces nationwide. However, the vitamin supplement is conducted during campaigns, not regularly.
Malnutrition cause negative effects on children’s health and development. Increasing micronutrients in daily meal is the simplest and most sustainable way to improve the height and physical health of Vietnamese people.-VNA
