Vietnam faces rising childhood obesity and physical inactivity

Vietnam is facing a significant rise in childhood obesity and physical inactivity, particularly in urban areas. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 91% of girls and 82% of boys in the country do not meet recommended physical activity levels. This sedentary lifestyle is driven by academic pressure, increased screen time, and rapid urbanization, which has reduced available play spaces for children.

Data from the National Institute of Nutrition shows that the overweight and obesity rate among children aged 5-19 rose from 8.5% in 2010 to 19% in 2020. The issue is most acute in cities, where the obesity rate reaches 26.8%, compared to 18.3% in rural areas. In Ho Chi Minh City, recent figures indicate that 20.4% of students are overweight and 14.4% are obese.

Health experts warn that these trends increase the risk of chronic non-communicable diseases, including hypertension, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, fatty liver, and cardiovascular issues. Addressing this requires a coordinated effort between families, schools, and the healthcare sector to improve nutrition and encourage daily physical activity.