By 2030, the height of children and adolescents will increase by at least 1.5cm
One of the goals set out in Resolution 72-NQ/TW of the Politburo on a number of breakthrough solutions, enhancing protection, care and improving people's health is to improve the physical strength, intelligence, stature and healthy life of the people by 2030. By 2030, the average height of children and adolescents aged 1-18 years will increase by at least 1.5cm; the average life expectancy will reach 75.5 years, of which the number of years of healthy living will reach at least 68.
Vision to 2045 strive for a good quality living environment; health indicators of the people, coverage of essential health care services are on par with developed countries in the region and the world. People have an average life expectancy of over 80 years, in which the number of years of healthy living increases to over 71 years, the average stature, physical strength, and height of young people are equivalent to countries with the same level of development.
Implementing Resolution 72 of the Government on improving people's health, physical fitness and longevity, all levels and sectors are actively implementing many synchronous solutions, in which identifying increasing the average height of the young generation as a key task. This is not only a medical requirement but also a long-term strategy to build high-quality human resources, contributing to the sustainable development of the country.
Vietnam struggles to solve the problem of "double weight" nutrition
Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Thanh Duong - Director of the Institute of Nutrition - emphasized that Vietnam is facing a "double burden" of nutrition. Three outstanding challenges include malnutrition (low-growing, light-weight, thin), micronutrient deficiency and overweight, obesity. This is also a common problem in many developing countries.
He said that it is necessary to have a comprehensive approach, from changing public awareness, forming healthy eating habits, increasing physical exercise, to ensuring balanced and safe school meals.
According to Associate Professor, Dr. Tran Thanh Duong, school nutrition is not only a task of the health or education sector but also a foundation for improving the stature and physical strength of the young generation, contributing to strengthening national internal strength. To create long-term effectiveness, he proposed promoting communication, social mobilization, mobilizing all levels, sectors, organizations, schools and families to participate; at the same time, building a strict system to monitor the nutritional status of students and control food supply.
"When the community joins hands, school nutrition programs will be replicated and maintained sustainably. At the same time, it is necessary to closely monitor the nutritional status and food sources, periodic reports, and conduct general investigations every 3-5 years, and at the same time require suppliers to strictly follow the process from ingredient selection to distribution to ensure quality and safety of meals" - Prof. Dr. Tran Thanh Duong said.
Investing in nutrition - investing in the future of the nation
Nutritional deficiencies or imbalances will cause serious consequences for the health of children and the whole society. At the international scientific conference on school nutrition in 2025 with the theme "For a healthy Vietnam - For Vietnamese stature", Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Tri Thuc emphasized that Uncle Ho once advised: "People are the most valuable asset of society, health is the most valuable asset of humans". At a time when the country is entering an era of rising up, this reminder becomes even more urgent.
According to Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Tri Thuc, a generation of Vietnamese people who are physically healthy and have a clear mind are the foundation for realizing their strong aspirations. Nutrition plays a key role in this goal. In fact, nutritional deficiencies or imbalances cause children to be rented low, malnourished; adults are susceptible to chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity; at the same time, increase medical costs, reduce labor productivity, affect national competitiveness.
Deputy Minister Nguyen Tri Thuc affirmed that school age is the "last golden period" for comprehensive intervention in nutrition and exercise, creating a foundation for lifelong stature and intelligence. He proposed 3 groups of solutions: Complete policies, consider nutritional investment as development investment; build a school nutrition ecosystem from "eating well" to "eating properly, eating enough, safe, diverse"; and promote digital transformation, international cooperation to manage menus, effectively monitor students' health.
The average height of 18-year-olds in the period 2010 - 2020 increased by 3.7 cm (men) and 2.6 cm (women) respectively; the rate of sao Nam dinh thorn in children under 5 years old decreased to below 19.6% in 2020. However, challenges still exist. The rate of under-whistling in ethnic minority areas is still over 30%, while the rate of overweight and obesity in large cities has exceeded 20%.
