Triple burden of malnutrition among Vietnamese 0·5-11-year-old children in 2020-2021: results of SEANUTS II Vietnam.

Abstract

SEANUTS II Vietnam aims to obtain an in-depth understanding of the nutritional status and nutrient intake of children between 0.5-11.9 years old. Cross-sectional survey. A multistage cluster systematic random sampling method was implemented in different regions in Vietnam: North Mountainous, Central Highlands, Red River Delta, North Central and Coastal Area, Southeast and Mekong River Delta. 4001 children between 6 months and 11.9 years of age. Prevalence of stunting and underweight was higher in rural than in urban children, whereas overweight and obese rates were higher in urban areas. 12.0% of the children had anemia and especially children 0.5-1-year-old were affected (38.6%). Low serum retinol was found in 6.2% of children ≥ 4 years old. Prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency was 31.1% while 60.8% had low serum zinc. For nutrient intake, overall, 80.1% of the children did not meet the estimated energy requirements. For calcium intake, ∼60% of the younger children did not meet the RNI while it was 92.6% in children >7 years old. For vitamin D intake, 95.0% of the children did not meet RNI. SEANUTS II Vietnam indicated that overnutrition was more prevalent than undernutrition in urban areas, while undernutrition was found more in rural areas. The high prevalence of low serum zinc, vitamin D insufficiency and the inadequate intakes of calcium and vitamin D are of concern. Nutrition strategies for Vietnamese children should consider three sides of malnutrition and focus on approaches for the prevention malnutrition.