1990 to 2004.pdf

Asia Pac J Clin Nutr 2007;16 (2):274-278 274 Original Article Reduction in childhood malnutrition in Vietnam from 1990 to 2004 Nguyen Cong Khan MD, PhD1,2, Le Danh Tuyen MD, PhD1, Tran Xuan Ngoc MD, MSc1, Phan Hoai Duong MSc1 and Ha Huy Khoi MD, DSc1 1National Institute of Nutrition, Hanoi, Vietnam 2Hanoi School of Public Health Reduction in childhood malnutrition in Vietnam between 1990 and 2004 was assessed using data from 5 national surveys. The prevalence of malnutrition, including stunting, declined significantly for underweight from 45% in 1990 to 26.6% in 2004. While the average reduction was 1.3% per year in the period from 1990 to 2000, it was 1.8% per year in the period from 2000 to 2004. The prevalence of stunting declined from 56.5% in 1990 to 30.7% in 2004, with an average reduction of 2% per year in the period from 1990 to 2000 and 1.5% per year in the period from 2000 to 2004. There were clear differences in the decrease in malnutrition prevalence between urban, rural and mountainous areas, the reduction being highest in the urban regions and lowest in the mountain- ous areas. Regression analysis showed that the nutrition status of the child is positively related to better house- hold living conditions and to the educational level of the father, but not the mother. Stunting is higher in children whose parents are farmers and higher in households with more children. Stunting prevalence is lower in house- holds with safe water access and hygienic toilets. In future , the dramatic reduction is childhood malnutrition as seen in the period 1990 to 2004 might not continue. More comprehensive apptoaches will be needed to lower childhood malnutrition in Vietnam further. Key Words: malnutrition, Vietnam, stunting, poverty Introduction Childhood malnutrition impairs the physical and mental development of the child and, potentially, of future genera- tions, which