As well as those who suffer from malnutrition, the increasing trend of people who are overweight, obese or who suffer from non-contagious chronic diseases places a further burden on Vietnams health care sector, said Deputy Health Minister Tran Chi Liem.

Photo: stolenchildhood.net

The official made this remark whilst attending an international nutrition seminar, with particular focus on obesity, hosted by the Nutrition Institute in Hanoi on Oct. 30, which drew the participation of dozens of scientists from Vietnam, the US and Japan. Deputy Minister Liem said the government has made great efforts to implement a national nutrition strategy for the 2001-2010 period, as well as carrying out a programme to prevent childhood malnutrition. He added that the government has also focused on limiting the increase in numbers of those who are overweight or obese. According to the Nutrition Institute, Vietnams malnutrition rate is around 33.9 percent, while the rate for obesity or those who are overweight is 16.3 percent. The institute also said the number of obesity cases tends to rise in direct proportion to age, occurs more often in women rather than men, and in urban rather than rural areas. Some factors behind overweightness and obesity were pointed out, including overconsumption of high-protein meats, fast-food and alcoholic drinks, as well as an inactive or sedentary lifestyle.