High prevalence of overweight among adolescents in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Abstract

BackgroundTwo previous surveys conducted in Ho Chi Minh City revealed an increasing prevalence of overweight and obese adolescents, from 5.9% in 2002 to 11.7% in 2004. From 2004 to 2010, the government set up and implemented health promotion programs to promote physical activity and good nutritional habits in order to prevent overweight and obesity in children and adolescents. Our study aimed to estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity among adolescents in urban areas of Ho Chi Minh City in 2010.MethodsA representative sample of 1,989 students aged 11–14 years was selected using a multistage cluster sampling method. 23 schools were randomly selected from the full list of all public junior high schools. In each selected school, 2 classes were chosen at random and all students from the class were examined. Age- and sex-adjusted overweight and obesity were defined using International Obesity Taskforce cut-offs.ResultsThe prevalences of overweight and obesity were 17.8% and 3.2%, respectively. Prevalences of overweight and obesity were significantly higher in boys (22%, 5.4% ) than in girls (13.3%, 1.3%, p<0.001) and higher in children from districts with a high economic level (20.5% , 3.8% ) than in those from districts with a low economic level (12.1%, 3.8%, p<0.001). Additionally, children living in wealthier families were more overweight and obese than those living in less wealthy families. When using WHO cutoffs, the overall prevalences of overweight and obesity reached 19.6% and 7.9%, respectively.ConclusionOur study’s findings suggest that the prevalence of overweight and obesity among secondary school students remains high, especially among boys living in wealthier families. Public health programs should therefore be developed or improved in order to promote good eating habits and physical activity among youth in HCMC.

Prevalence and associated factors of overweight and obesity among schoolchildren in Hanoi, Vietnam

“…The prevalences of OW/OB among 11-to 12-year-old students in central Hanoi were quite high compared with the data from other studies in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam [16,17]. This study also found that several characteristics of the children, their families, and their lifestyle behaviours were strongly associated with the risks of OW/OB.…”

“…That previous survey included participants aged 7-9 years and found rates of overweight and obesity of 23.4 and 17.3%, respectively [16]. Another study in 2010 that included adolescents aged 11-14 years old in Ho Chi Minh City found rates of overweight and obesity of 19.6 and 7.9%, respectively [17]. Obesity is a risk factor for NCDs, and Vietnam has been identified as a country with a major problems associated with NCDs, which are responsible for approximately 73% of total deaths [5].…”

Prevalence of Diabetes and Prediabetes among Children Aged 11-14 Years Old in Vietnam

“…The prevalence of overweight and obesity among children in Vietnam is increasing, especially in urban areas. A study found that the prevalences of overweight and obesity among children aged 11-14 in a large city were 17.8% and 3.2%, respectively [15]. Therefore, this study is aimed at estimating the prevalence of type 1 and type 2 diabetes and prediabetes among Vietnamese children aged 11-14 and examining associated factors of the condition.…”

Can the Weight Reduction Program Improve Obese Thai Adolescents’ Body Mass Index and Autonomous Motivation?

“…C hildhood and adolescent overweight and obesity have increased rapidly in both developed and developing countries 1,2,3,4 . Obesity rates in children and adolescents in Thailand were 5.8%, 6.7%, and 9.7% in 1995, 2001, and 2008-2009, respectively 5 .…”