THIẾT KẾ VÀ THỰC HIỆN KHẢO SÁT DINH DƯỠNG ĐÔNG NAM Á TẠI VIỆT NAM

Abstract

In order to evaluate the effects of health and nutrition interventions and to get insight in the
physical as well as intellectual capacity of Vietnamese children, there was a need for a comprehensive and scientific database on health and nutrition status of the children aged 0.5 to 12 years
old. To address this demand, a study on health and nutritional status, as the Vietnamese part of
South East Asian Nutrition Survey (SEANUTS) in children has been conducted in selected sites
of the north, central and south of Vietnam with objectives to define the nutritional status and related
factors affecting the young and primary school children aged 0.5 to 11 in urban and rural areas.
The survey was designed and implemented by Nutrition specialists of the NIN in the format of
a cross-sectional study with participation of more than 2,867 kindergarten and primary school
children, from 2010 to 2012. Analyzed variables include (1) children’s anthropometry; (2) socioeconomic profile; (3) physical activity; (4) dietary intakes; (5) dietary habits; (6) biochemistry,
consisting of anemia, red blood cell counts, iron, vitamin A, vitamin D, acute and chronic infections; (7) bone quality; and (8) development and cognition. The study results were expected to
answer the following questions relating to policy development and programs on effective nutrition
and health interventions: Is there a changing trend in malnutrition? What are transitions in dietary
habits and physical activity patterns? Are iron and vitamin A still the “problem” nutrients? What
is the Vitamin D status of children aged 6-11 years? The results will not only provide policy makers
and program managers with the most complete dataset related to nutrition and health but will also
pointed out that the key to national strength and health of the child is in establishing a supportive
environment for a healthy lifestyle and encouraging behavior towards health in the stage of growth
and development of children.