(Vietnam) 19% to 26% of children overweight, obese

Aug 18, 2025, VN Express: Child obesity in Vietnam balloons to rich nations' rates

https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/child-obesity-in-vietnam-balloons-to-rich-nations-rates-4927536.html 

The overweight and obesity rates among Vietnamese students have more than doubled in the last decade to 19%, reaching as high as 26% in major cities, almost reaching rich-country levels.

"This rate is increasing even faster than in Thailand and is nearing that of developed nations," Associate Professor Dr. Tran Thanh Duong, director of the National Institute of Nutrition, said at the 2025 International Scientific Conference on School Nutrition, held in Hanoi last week by the Central Commission for Communication and Education and the Ministries of Health and Education and Training.

"Childhood overweight and obesity are ticking time bombs, contributing to the burden of future non-communicable diseases, undermining national health and productivity." . . .

In wealthy countries such as the U.S. and Australia, childhood obesity rates are 20-30%.

The modern diet comprising fast foods, sugary beverages and processed foods is a key cause of obesity.

According to a survey by the National Institute of Nutrition, Vietnamese children consume 30–40 grams of sugar a day on average, far higher than the World Health Organization's recommendation of less than 25 grams.

Children in urban areas spend an average of four to six hours a day on sedentary activities such as watching TV and using computers and other electronic devices.

Duong said: "Another key factor is the lack of nutritionally balanced school meals. Currently fewer than 50% of schools provide meals for preschoolers, and only 30% for primary school students. Most school canteens and nearby vendors sell fast food, sugary drinks and processed items."  . . .

A study by the Vietnam National Children's Hospital in 2023 found children as young as nine diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, something rarely seen a decade ago.

Besides health impacts, the cost of treating obesity-related diseases could consume an estimated 5–7% of the national healthcare budget in future, experts warn. . . ..

"We need to legislate school nutrition policies to uniformly implement programs such as a national school meal plan, nutrition education and school obesity prevention... to improve the physical stature and strength of future generations."

Le Thai Ha, deputy director of the health ministry's department of preventive medicine, said the proposed Law on Disease Prevention would have a dedicated section on nutrition.

The bill makes it mandatory for students at all levels to get nutrition education, age-appropriate diets and their nutritional status regularly assessed, he said.

Amending all provisions from "recommended" to "mandatory," it would also clearly define the responsibilities of educational institutions in delivering school healthcare, ensuring food safety, proper nutrition, and promoting physical activity, he added.

The bill is expected to be taken up by the National Assembly at its October session.