Viet Nam's children grow taller but face rising obesity challenges

Viet Nam has seen notable improvements in child health over the past decade. The average height of 18-year-old boys has risen by 3.7cm since 2010, now standing at 168.1cm. Meanwhile, authorities are pushing new reforms to tackle rising obesity and boost physical fitness among young people.

Between 2010 and 2020, the rate of stunting among children under five dropped from 29.3% to 19.6%. However, concerns remain as the proportion of overweight and obese children under five reached 7.4%, with urban areas showing higher figures. Among school-age children, obesity rates have doubled over the last ten years, hitting 19% in 2020.

To address these challenges, the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) and the Ministry of Health (MoH) are reviewing physical education programmes. They also aim to strengthen school nutrition and hygiene standards. A plan to establish legal regulations on school nutrition and fitness was outlined last year. Progress has been made in physical activity levels among teenagers. The share of 13- to 17-year-olds meeting recommended activity levels rose from 20.5% in 2013 to 24.1% in 2019. Both ministries now plan to work closely with other agencies to reform school health and physical education between 2025 and 2035.

Improving children’s nutrition and physical development remains a top priority for Viet Nam’s education and health sectors. The government’s ongoing reforms seek to build on recent gains while addressing persistent issues like obesity and fitness levels.