In fact, the concept of "eating full" does not include the issue of "eating enough" for children. A survey by Xanh Pon General Hospital showed that among nearly 150 children coming for examination, the rate of underweight malnutrition was 7.43%, stuntedness 12.16%, and thinness 12.84%. Notably, the overweight/obesity ratio also accounted for 5.41%. At the same time, zinc and iron deficiency appeared with very high rates, 65.71% and 63.27% respectively; vitamin D deficiency was 18.24%.
These figures clearly reflect "three nutritional burdens": malnutrition, micronutrient deficiency and overweight, obesity. This is also a worrying paradox of modern life: Children may eat more than before, but may not necessarily eat correctly; may gain weight, but still lack nutrients; may be cared for by their families, but still face the risk of incomplete development.
Nutrition is the foundation for children's physical, intellectual, immune and learning abilities. stuntedness, iron deficiency, zinc deficiency, or vitamin D deficiency are not only medical indicators, but also warn of the risk of long-term effects on growth, cognition, resistance, and the future of a generation.
The first undeniable responsibility belongs to the family. Parents are the ones who decide daily meals, eating habits, sleep, exercise and taking children for examination and nutritional counseling. However, in reality, many families still raise children by word of mouth, by feeling or according to unverified trends on social networks. Some children are forced to overeat because adults think "fat is healthy"; some children lack diverse foods because parents are busy and dependent on fast food and processed foods. Some families care about weight but pay little attention to height, micronutrients, exercise and mental health of children.
Raising children is not about how to make children eat a lot, but about helping children eat enough, eat correctly, eat balancedly and form healthy habits. Children's meals need to be diverse in food groups, suitable for age, ensuring enough protein, good fats, starch, green vegetables, fruits and essential micronutrients. Parents also need to proactively take children for periodic health check-ups, monitor growth charts, and do not arbitrarily supplement micronutrients for a long time without professional advice.
But it would be unfair to put the whole burden on the shoulders of the family. Nutrition for children is also a social responsibility. A family that wants to raise children well needs to have access to correct information, convenient medical services, safe food, a healthy living environment and appropriate support policies. When parents are caught up in livelihood pressure, when clean food is expensive, fast food surrounds young children, healthy choices are no longer easy.
Schools, especially preschools, also play a key role. Boarding meals must be designed scientifically, publicly, balanced and suitable for children. In parallel, children should be encouraged to exercise, play outdoors, and limit screen time.
In Vietnam, Micronutrient Day coincides with International Children's Day June 1st, this is clearly a meaningful activity, a reminder of supplementing micronutrients for children and also raising the attention of the whole society to children's health. Children embracing today is the world of tomorrow.
