Campaign set to enhance public awareness of proper nutrition
The National Institute of Nutrition has launched a “nutrition and development week” in a bid to raise public awareness of proper nutrition for sustainable development.
Running from October 16 to 23 in response to the World Food Day (October 16), the campaign will include activities to encourage rural residents to develop the VAC model, which combines garden cultivation, fish breeding in ponds, and animal husbandry to increase food sources.
It will call upon the community to diversify their dining habits to guarantee a sufficient intake of vitamins along with proper nutrition for children during their first 1,000 days of life and the practice of healthy nutrition and physical exercise for all.
The Ministry of Health asked the public to pay greater attention to vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women, and nursing mothers, as well as people in poor and disaster-prone areas.
Vietnam has recorded progress in improving nutrition conditions and public health. Cases of malnutrition among children have fallen significantly and sustainably.
The ratio of underweight children under five years of age fell to 12.2% in 2019 from 30.1% in 2000.
Although the percentage of stunting among children under five has fallen 1% every year, it remained high at 22.4% in 2019. The ratio in the northern mountainous region was 27.1% and the Central Highlands 29.8%.
Unsuitable nutrition and a lack of physical exercise are also behind the increase of non-communicable chronic diseases.