Seminar raises obesity alarm in Vietnam

Hanoi (VNA) - 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 Vietnam's health care sector, said Deputy Health Minister Tran Chi Liem.

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, Vietnam 's 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.-Enditem