Obesity - don't stigmatize, reach out!

Every year, around March, the issue of obesity is prominently discussed by health and social experts on World Obesity Awareness Day (March 4th). This year, a warning bell has been rung in Vietnam as obesity is becoming an increasingly significant public health challenge, with approximately 20 million people living with overweight or obesity.

It's important to note that obesity is not just a matter of appearance or lifestyle, but a complex chronic disease related to metabolic disorders. Therefore, health experts are calling for a change in how this disease is viewed as a chronic condition that needs early detection and intervention.

From the rate of childhood obesity surpassing the rate of childhood malnutrition…

On December 7, 2025, speaking at the opening of the 5th National Scientific Conference on the theme "Nutrition Updates for Obese/Muscle Loss Individuals - Clinical Applications to Improve Treatment Effectiveness," Dr. Pham Thanh Viet, Deputy Director in charge of Management and Administration at Cho Ray Hospital (Ho Chi Minh City), emphasized that the obesity rate is increasing rapidly, and for the first time in history, the rate of obese children has surpassed the rate of malnourished children.

In Vietnam, this figure is particularly noteworthy, with the rate of overweight and obese children increasing from 8.5% to approximately 19%, while in adults it is around 25%. This has made Vietnam the country with the highest rate of obesity increase in Southeast Asia. Dr. Luu Ngan Tam, President of the Vietnam Society of Intravenous and Gastrointestinal Nutrition (VietSPEN), stated that along with socio -economic development, obesity is becoming a new burden.

Currently, obesity has been identified as a disease in the International Classification of Diseases (issued by the World Health Organization - WHO) because it is associated with many metabolic disorders and is the cause of many other chronic diseases. However, in reality, at the hospital level, the assessment and nutritional care for patients are still not given adequate attention. According to Dr. Ngan Tam, in fact, controlling obesity is becoming increasingly difficult, and the ineffectiveness of treatment also makes patients more prone to complications and hospitalization.

At an awareness-raising event on obesity in Ho Chi Minh City, themed "Raising Awareness on Obesity: 20 Million Reasons to Act for Obesity in Vietnam," organized by Novo Nordisk Vietnam Co., Ltd. in collaboration with public and private partners on March 4th, in response to World Obesity Awareness Day, a notable issue raised was the increasing rate of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents. The rate of overweight and obesity in the 5-19 age group has increased significantly in recent years, especially in major cities. This poses a considerable challenge to future prevention and public health care efforts.

It is projected that by 2030, the whole country will have 2 million overweight and obese children. (Illustrative image - Source: ST)

Experts assert that obesity is not merely a matter of appearance or lifestyle, but a complex chronic disease related to metabolic disorders that can lead to many dangerous non-communicable diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, sleep apnea, and osteoarthritis. Therefore, obesity not only affects individual health but also places a significant burden on the healthcare system and the economy. Forecasts indicate that direct healthcare costs related to obesity in Vietnam could increase sharply in the coming years, leading to significant impacts on labor productivity and the quality of life for the population.

This highlights the need to reduce sugar intake in the population.

According to experts, the consumption of sugary drinks in Vietnam is increasing at an alarming rate, with total annual consumption doubling in the last decade (2013-2023), from 3.44 billion liters to 6.67 billion liters – posing numerous risks to public health. Consuming sugary drinks is a direct cause of obesity, especially among children, and consequently leads to cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Therefore, implementing solutions to limit the consumption of sugary drinks is a feasible and scientifically sound approach to control and prevent diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, overweight, and obesity.

According to forecasts by the UK-based market research firm Euromonitor, without effective control measures, the consumption of sugary drinks in Vietnam will continue to increase by an average of 6.4% per year from 2023 to 2028, equivalent to a total increase of 36.6% over the next five years, raising the risk of non-communicable diseases such as overweight, obesity, and diabetes.

According to the WHO, not only in Vietnam, but also in 75 countries worldwide, research shows that for every 1% increase in sugary drink consumption, there is a 4.8% increase in overweight adults, a 2.3% increase in obese adults, and a 0.3% increase in diabetes. Consuming sugary drinks increases the risk of obesity by 18%, hypertension by 12%, type 2 diabetes by 29%, and metabolic syndrome by 29%. The WHO argues that, given this situation, implementing measures to control sugary drink consumption is crucial to protect public health, especially that of children and adolescents. One effective solution proposed is to apply an excise tax on sugary drinks to curb excessive consumption and reduce sugar intake in the population.

According to the Ministry of Health, in Vietnam, estimated economic losses due to overweight and obesity alone in 2019 amounted to US$3.69 billion, accounting for 1.1% of GDP, not including the costs of other related non-communicable diseases. By 2060, these figures are projected to increase to US$103.1 billion, accounting for 2.8% of GDP; meaning total costs will increase 28 times. Imposing sufficiently high taxes on sugary drinks/soft drinks will contribute to reducing tooth decay, obesity, and diabetes, and preventing other non-communicable diseases.

According to research by the School of Public Health, if a tax were imposed to increase the retail price of sugary drinks by 20% as recommended by the WHO, the rates of overweight and obesity in Vietnam could decrease by 2.1% and 1.5% respectively, preventing 80,000 cases of diabetes and saving the healthcare system nearly 800 billion VND.

Imposing a sugar tax on soft drinks with a sugar content exceeding 5g/100ml does not mean banning the product, but rather aims to guide consumers towards healthier options. Therefore, soft drink production will not decrease and may even continue to increase as businesses flexibly adapt to diversify their product range.

Imposing excise tax on sugary drinks is a common trend, widespread globally with at least 108 countries applying it, including 6 ASEAN countries, including Laos and Cambodia…

Vietnam has the highest rate of increase in obesity in Southeast Asia. (Illustrative image - Source: ST)

On June 14, 2025, with a majority vote, the 9th Session of the 15th National Assembly voted to approve the Law on Special Consumption Tax (amended). Accordingly, from 2027, soft drinks containing 5mg of sugar per 100ml will be subject to a special consumption tax of 8%, and from 2028, the tax will be 10%. This regulation aims to protect public health, reduce overweight and obesity, and prevent non-communicable diseases related to sugar consumption.

Changing perceptions about obesity to move towards a healthier community.

At the awareness-raising event on obesity in Ho Chi Minh City on March 4, 2026, themed "Raising Awareness on Obesity: 20 Million Reasons to Act for Obesity in Vietnam," held on March 4, 2026, besides medical factors, one of the major barriers to managing obesity is social prejudice. Many people believe that obesity is a consequence of a lack of discipline or laziness, while in reality, it is a chronic disease influenced by many factors such as genetics, metabolism, living environment, and modern lifestyle. These prejudices not only cause emotional distress but also lead many people to delay seeking medical help.

According to MSc. Dr. Pham Thi Minh Chau, Department of Psychiatry - Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy, overweight or obese individuals often face significant psychological pressure due to stigma and prejudice surrounding their appearance. While recent surveys show that public awareness of obesity is gradually improving, the gap between awareness and action remains quite large. Many overweight or obese individuals spend years trying to lose weight on their own before seeking advice from doctors or healthcare professionals.

According to health experts, creating an understanding and supportive social environment is crucial for patients to confidently access treatment and proactively manage their weight. When obesity is recognized as a chronic disease, patients will have more opportunities to access appropriate treatment solutions and reduce the risk of complications. With approximately 20 million Vietnamese people living with overweight and obesity, this is no longer just an individual issue but has become a public health challenge requiring the collective effort of the entire society.

The message of World Obesity Awareness Day emphasizes that obesity should be viewed as a chronic disease requiring early intervention, rather than merely a matter of aesthetics or personal choice. In Vietnam, with millions affected by this disease, action is needed today to move towards a healthier community.

Source: https://baophapluat.vn/beo-phi-dung-ky-thi-hay-chia-tay.html