This information was shared by health experts at the press conference "20 Million Reasons to Act for Obesity in Vietnam," held on the morning of March 4th, coinciding with World Obesity Awareness Day.
Speaking at a press conference, Associate Professor, Doctor Tran Quang Nam, Head of the Endocrinology Department at the University Medical Center of Ho Chi Minh City, said that approximately 19.5% of Vietnam's population (equivalent to 20 million people) are living with overweight or obesity.
Despite having the lowest obesity rate in Southeast Asia, Vietnam has the fastest rate of obesity increase in the region at 38%.
According to Ms. Pham Thi Minh Chau, Department of Psychiatry, Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy, in addition to the burden on their health and finances, overweight and obese people also face pressure from those around them and feelings of self-blame.
Many people believe that obesity is a consequence of an undisciplined lifestyle and laziness, leading to low self-esteem and delays in seeking medical help. The rate of depression among obese people is increasing.
According to Action Vietnam research, 79% of obese people face obstacles related to jobs requiring a certain appearance, 62% tend to be teased or discriminated against, and 54% believe that obesity is due to laziness.
"Therefore, we hope that the community will become increasingly aware of obesity, helping patients reduce self-consciousness and giving them more motivation to manage their weight and health," said Ms. Pham Thi Minh Chau, M.Sc.
According to the National Institute of Nutrition, in Vietnam, from 2010 to 2020, the rate of overweight and obesity among school-aged children increased from 8.5% to 19%; the obesity rate in urban areas is significantly higher than in rural areas. In Ho Chi Minh City alone, the obesity rate among adolescents exceeded 50%, while in Hanoi it was over 41%.
Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/20-trieu-nguoi-viet-bi-thua-can-beo-phi-post841052.html
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