On the secular trends of Vietnamese during the XX century

By collecting and analyzing available data on anthropometric measurements (height, weight) of Vietnamese during the XX century, it is shown that during 50 years (1938-1985) there is no change in average height and weight of Vietnamese. This situation can be attributed to the sequelae of long war period. From the recent set of data published in 2003, a trend of growth acceleration of Vietnamese has been revealed. At present, the average height of male adult is 163cm7, 3cm7 taller than in 1975 and of the women is 153cm, 3cm taller than in 1975. A system of growth monitoring and surveillance should be established in order to follow scientifically this positive and important situation.

Relationship between nutrition practices of mothers, physical activity of children and overweigh - obesity status of children 4-6 years old

A case-control study on some risk factors causing overweight and obesity in children 4-6 years at Hanoi inner city was set up. The case group was including children with weight for height over +2SD. The control group was composed of normal children with the same place, age and sex, without affected congenital disease. The findings showed that risk factors of children suffering from overweight include physical inactivity and long time sitting in front of television. The research also showed that incorrect attitude and behaviors of care takers, such as irregular weight monitoring for children, often forcing children to eat extra foods, incorrect assessment of children's nutrition status, were contributed to increase overweight and obesity rates in these ages

Fetal origin of some chronic diseases associated with nutrition

The theory on establishment of programmed in the fetal period and chronic diseases haven’t still given out anything clearly but in most of studies, they showed that there is a relation between fetal growing with cardiovascular diseases, hypertension and metabolic syndrome. Its establishment of programmed in fetal period doesn’t replace other risk factors but adding more the environmental factor to these diseases. Currently, the important of fetal nutrition and mother nutrition in pregnancy period are paid attention as well as other nutrition issue in the transition period.

Some preliminary remark on double burden of malnutrition in Viet nam

Evidences have shown that we are beginning into nutritional transition etape, and a double burden of malnutrition has been started. Protein energy malnutrion in children is still a continous challenge. Data collected in the past years showed that there is not a consistency in reduce of malnutrion between various region. The chronical deficiency of energy among women of reproductive age is a true problem of concern. In the next future, the deficiency of oligonutrients, of vitamin A, the diseases related to iron deficiency, iodine deficiency must be resolved. High body weight, obesity are increasing quickly, raising a new problem of public health in urban areas. In the large increase of chronical uncommunicable disease such as hypertension diabetes, cardiovascualr conditions, some cancers, metabolism disturbations, there is certainly the important role of the nutrition and life style

[Efficacy of daily and weekly iron supplementation for the control of iron deficiency anaemia in infants in rural Vietnam]. / Efficacité de la supplémentation en fer quotidienne et hebdomadaire pour le contrôle de l'anémie chez le nourrisson en milieu rural au Vietnam.

In Vietnam the high prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia in infants and young children speaks for implementing early interventions. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the daily iron supplementation in infants given by their mothers and of the weekly iron supplementation. Two hundred and seventy infants aged 5 to 12 months, were divided into four groups. Group 1 received a placebo daily and group 2 a daily dose of 15 mg iron (2.0 +/- 0.3 mg iron/day/kg body weight) which was given by their mothers for three months. Group 3 received a daily dose of 15 mg iron and group 4 a weekly dose of 15 mg iron given during 6 months by health auxiliaries. The hemoglobin concentration (Hb) was measured before the intervention and after 3 months of supplementation in all groups, and again after 6 months of supplementation in groups 3 and 4. After 3 months of iron supplementation, the hemoglobin concentration increased significantly by 21.6 +/- 12.3 g/l and the prevalence of anaemia decreased from 81.3% to less than 9% in group 2. The weekly iron supplementation was significantly less effective than the daily supplementation: after 3 months, Hb increased by 15.4 +/- 13.3 g/l in group 3 and by 11.2 +/- 10.2 g/l in group 4 (p = 0.04) and the prevalence of anaemia was 17.9% and 41.5% in groups 3 and 4, respectively. After 6 months of supplementation, changes in Hb were not significantly different between group 3 (22.0 +/- 12.1 g/l) and group 4 (20.0 +/- 10.0 g/l, p = 0.30). However, the final hemoglobin concentration was significantly lower in group 4 (120.5 +/- 7.2 g/l) than in group 3 (123.6 +/- 7.8, p = 0.02). Moreover, nearly 8% of the children were still anemic in group 4 versus 0% in group 3. Since the early developmental period, when the brain and other specific organs are especially sensitive to iron deficiency, is critical, 3-month daily iron supplementation of infants from the age of 6 months has to be recommended, followed by a weekly iron supplementation until the age of 15 months. The community approach, where mothers informed on the importance of iron deficiency anaemia and on the consequences for the health of their infants gave the iron supplements, was shown to be effective. However, its sustainability would depend on the availability of low-cost iron supplements affordable by populations with limited economic resources. Other interventions, such as iron supplementation of women during fertile age, especially during pregnancy and lactation periods, and the use of complementary food to breast milk, fortified with micronutrients, should be associated.