Awareness of nutrition problems among Vietnamese health and education professionals

Abstract

Professionals who provide nutrition education and consulting to the public are encouraged to take into account the health, environmental and social contexts that influence health-related attitudes and behaviours in the population. This paper examined the awareness of shifts in population health outcomes associated with the nutrition transition in Vietnam among university nutrition lecturers, health professionals and school education professionals. Most of these professionals held accurate views of the current population health issues in Vietnam. However, they differed in their awareness of the seriousness of overweight and obesity. Although the majority indicated that the prevalence of obesity and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) had increased, nearly half believed that the government should complete its attempts to control undernutrition before trying to control obesity. More health professionals believed that food marketing was responsible for the growing prevalence of children's obesity, and more of them disapproved of the marketing of less healthy food to children. In contrast, the university nutrition lecturers were least aware of food marketing and the seriousness of obesity. Of the three groups, the university nutrition lecturers held less accurate perceptions of nutrition transition problems and their likely drivers. There is an urgent need for greater provision of public nutrition education for all three groups of professionals.

Determining key research areas for healthier diets and sustainable food systems in Viet Nam

“…There has been little nutrition education mainstreamed through the Vietnamese higher education systems, with university lecturers' and school teachers' level of nutrition knowledge being limited (Quynh T. H. Pham et al 2016). The lack of inclusion of nutrition education, and specifically public health nutrition, through any formal education or government channels may indicate a systemic problem with building nutrition throughout the education system from primary or even pre-school to university.…”

Health Benefits of Education: Comparative Evidence from Vietnam and Thailand

“…Given the normal range of BMI for Asians (WHO Expert Consultation, 2004) between 18.5 and 23, we believe that these results imply better health for both countries because the BMI mean for Thai is closer to the upper threshold while the increasing BMI is considered as a good indicator of health for Vietnamese. According to Pham et al (2017), Vietnamese health professionals believe undernutrition should be a higher priority than controlling obesity. Thus, education is shown to have a positive impact on people’s health in both countries.…”

The association between food environment, diet quality and malnutrition in low‐ and middle‐income adult populations across the rural—Urban gradient in Vietnam

“…88 The findings about the association between education, nutrition knowledge and income with diet quality suggest key recommendations for nutrition practitioners and policy makers. First, prioritise nutrition education to improve knowledge of the drivers of the nutrition transition, 89 apply novel approaches to nutrition teaching in Vietnamese universities, and foster the learning and sharing experiences with professionals in other countries. 90 Second, address affordability and accessibility of healthier food options, particularly for individuals with lower incomes, through subsidies, incentives and food assistance programs.…”