Anthropometric Cut-Off Values for Detecting the Presence of Metabolic Syndrome and Its Multiple Components among Adults in Vietnam: The Role of Novel Indices.

Recent studies have shown that using international guidelines to diagnose metabolic syndrome (MetS) may underestimate its prevalence in different Asian populations. This study aims to determine the validity of anthropometric indicators and appropriate cut-off values to predict MetS for Vietnamese adults. We analyzed data on 4701 adults across four regions of Vietnam. Four conventional and five novel anthropometric indexes were calculated. The area under a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) and Youden's J statistic were applied to evaluate the diagnostic ability and optimal cut-off values. Regardless of diagnostic criteria and gender, Abdominal volume index (AVI), Body roundness index (BRI), and Waist-height ratio (WHtR) had the highest AUC values, followed by Body mass index (BMI) and Waist-hip ratio (WHR). However, it was seen that differences among the AUC values of most indices were minor. In men, using International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria, the threshold of indices was 3.86 for BRI, 16.20 for AVI, 0.53 for WHtR, 22.40 for BMI, and 0.90 for WHR. In women, the threshold for these figures were 3.60, 12.80, 0.51, 23.58, and 0.85, respectively. It is recommended that health personnel in Vietnam should apply appropriate thresholds of anthropometry, which are lower than current international guidelines, for MetS screening to avoid under-diagnosis.

Effectiveness of a Communication for Behavioral Impact (COMBI) Intervention to Reduce Salt Intake in a Vietnamese Province Based on Estimations From Spot Urine Samples.

This study evaluated the effectiveness of the Communication for Behavioral Impact (COMBI)-Eat Less Salt intervention conducted in Viet Tri, Vietnam. The behavior change intervention was implemented in four wards and four communes for one year, which included mass media communication, school interventions, community programs, and focus on high-risk groups. Mean sodium excretion was estimated from spot urine samples using different equations. A subsample provided 24-hour urine to validate estimates from spot urine. Information about salt-related knowledge and behaviors was also collected. There were 513 participants at both baseline and follow-up. Mean sodium excretion estimated from spot urines fell significantly from 8.48 g/d at baseline to 8.05 g/d at follow-up (P=.001). All spot equations demonstrated a significant reduction in sodium levels; however, the change was smaller than the measured 24-hour urine. Participants showed improved knowledge and behaviors following the intervention. The COMBI intervention was effective in lowering average population salt intake and improving knowledge and behaviors.

Micronutrient deficits are still public health issues among women and young children in Vietnam.

BACKGROUND: The 2000 Vietnamese National Nutrition Survey showed that the population's dietary intake had improved since 1987. However, inequalities were found in food consumption between socioeconomic groups. As no national data exist on the prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies, a survey was conducted in 2010 to assess the micronutrient status of randomly selected 1526 women of reproductive age and 586 children aged 6-75 mo. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In women, according to international thresholds, prevalence of zinc deficiency (ZnD, 67.2 ± 2.6%) and vitamin B12 deficiency (11.7 ± 1.7%) represented public health problems, whereas prevalence of anemia (11.6 ± 1.0%) and iron deficiency (ID, 13.7 ± 1.1%) were considered low, and folate (<3%) and vitamin A (VAD, <2%) deficiencies were considered negligible. However, many women had marginal folate (25.1%) and vitamin A status (13.6%). Moreover, overweight (BMI ≥ 23 kg/m(2) for Asian population) or underweight occurred in 20% of women respectively highlighting the double burden of malnutrition. In children, a similar pattern was observed for ZnD (51.9 ± 3.5%), anemia (9.1 ± 1.4%) and ID (12.9 ± 1.5%) whereas prevalence of marginal vitamin A status was also high (47.3 ± 2.2%). There was a significant effect of age on anemia and ID prevalence, with the youngest age group (6-17 mo) having the highest risk for anemia, ID, ZnD and marginal vitamin A status as compared to other groups. Moreover, the poorest groups of population had a higher risk for zinc, anemia and ID. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of anemia and ID in Vietnam has been markedly reduced over the last decade, but a large part of the population is still at risk for other deficiencies such as zinc, vitamin A, folate and vitamin B(12) especially the youngest children aged 6-17 mo. Consequently specific interventions to improve food diversity and quality should be implemented, among them food fortification of staple foods and condiments and improvement of complementary feeding.

Initiating BMI prevalence studies in Vietnamese children: changes in a transitional economy.

BACKGROUND: Rapid changes in dietary patterns and lifestyles in Vietnam warrant monitoring trends of weight, height and body mass index (BMI) among children. OBJECTIVE: To determine the trends of weight, height and BMI classification of Vietnamese children, 6-15 years of age, from 1992 to 2000 with reference to socioeconomic, urban and rural differences. METHODS: Data in the Vietnam Living Standard Survey (1992-1993) and the General Nutrition Survey (2000) were collected from representative samples of children. Body mass index classification was determined using the International Obesity Task Force criteria to calculate the prevalence and trends in each survey, and in a pooled survey analysis. RESULTS: Statistically significant increases were seen in children's mean weight, height and BMI between the two surveys: 2.1 kg for weight, 4 cm for height, and 0.28 kg/m2 for BMI. Increases in height were greater in rural than urban areas, and BMI increases were smaller in rural than urban areas. CONCLUSIONS: The rising prevalence of children at risk of overweight in urban Vietnam is a concern that must be monitored to guide policy changes. The unchanging prevalence of rural underweight boys requires attention. A national nutrition program to address under- and overweight for children throughout primary school is needed.