Vietnam, despite being one of the world’s largest rice exporters, faces a paradoxical challenge: it ranks 13th among countries with the highest burden of malnutrition. According to the National Institute of Nutrition’s 2012 statistics, one in three children under the age of five suffers from stunted growth. Additionally, the average height of Vietnamese youth is significantly lower compared to neighboring countries, notably Japan, where the average height is 10 cm taller.
Malnutrition stems not only from poverty but also from a lack of understanding and guidance on nutritional science in child-rearing. To improve children’s height, nutrition and physical activity are crucial factors, with nutrition accounting for 32% of height development. Nutritional recommendations suggest that children aged 1 to 3 require 500 mg of calcium daily, those aged 4 to 6 need 600 mg, and children aged 7 to 9 should have 700 mg.
Parents can ensure adequate calcium intake for their children by incorporating the following foods:
Alongside nutrition, regular physical activity is vital. Exercise aids digestion and promotes height growth. Moreover, sufficient and timely sleep is essential, as growth hormones are predominantly secreted during deep sleep, particularly between 10 and 11 PM.
To optimize children’s height development, parents should focus on:
To raise awareness about height development, the Vietnam Women’s Union, in collaboration with Sanofi, has launched the “Cao Vui Khỏe” project. This initiative aims to educate 50,000 households nationwide on proper methods to support children’s height growth.
Women play a pivotal role in family child-rearing, being the primary influencers in a child’s development. Therefore, enhancing women’s nutritional knowledge is crucial for improving the health and height of Vietnamese children.
This program aspires not only to elevate the stature of Vietnamese individuals but also to cultivate a new generation capable of standing alongside peers regionally and globally. The project’s success promises substantial benefits for the community and the nation’s future.
Improving the height and health of Vietnamese children requires a coordinated approach encompassing nutrition, physical activity, and education. The “Cao Vui Khỏe” campaign represents a significant step toward enhancing community awareness and action regarding children’s height development.