Vietnam is the country with the fastest growing obesity rate in Southeast Asia.

Vietnam is witnessing a 38% increase in overweight and obesity rates, making it one of the fastest growing obesity countries in Southeast Asia. The information was shared by Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, Deputy Director of the Institute of Digestive Surgery, Head of the Department of Digestive Surgery, 108 Central Military Hospital, at a press conference announcing new findings from the ACTION-Vietnam study.

According to Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, obesity is a significant challenge due to common misconceptions about its impact on health. The consequences of obesity increase the risk of many other dangerous diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, depression, physiological decline, damage to internal organs, obstetric complications and sleep disorders.

According to the National Institute of Nutrition, the overweight and obesity rate among school-age children aged 5–19 has doubled in a decade from 8.5% in 2010 to 19% in 2020, with the obesity rate in urban areas reaching 26.8%, significantly higher than 18.3% in rural areas. Notably, the obesity rate among adolescents in Ho Chi Minh City has exceeded 50%, and in Hanoi it is over 41%.

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan, Deputy Director of the Institute of Digestive Surgery, Head of the Department of Digestive Surgery, 108 Central Military Hospital, shared at the press conference to announce

“Although obesity has been recognized as a chronic disease, in Vietnam, this awareness has not been fully reflected in research and treatment practices. As a result, there is a clear gap in communication between doctors and patients, with about 40% of doctors hesitant to mention the issue of weight, while nearly 50% of patients feel embarrassed when asked. This seemingly normal psychological barrier is directly affecting the effectiveness of treatment,” Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Anh Tuan informed.

According to Dr. Georgia Rigas, University of New South Wales (Australia), obesity management does not mean weight loss but should focus on improving overall quality of life and minimizing health complications for patients. She encourages clinical colleagues to adopt a proactive approach including early screening for obesity-related complications, identifying the root causes of obesity and effectively addressing them with evidence-based therapies. Like other chronic progressive diseases, the best way to manage obesity is through an integrated multidisciplinary approach.

The latest findings from the ACTION-Vietnam Study were published in the Journal of the Southeast Asian Federation of Endocrinology (April 25). The study, which involved experts from Novo Nordisk and local healthcare professionals, examined and analyzed the current state of obesity management in Vietnam. The study provides important information on perceptions, attitudes, behaviors, and potential barriers to effective obesity management in Vietnam, and the findings highlight the urgent need to raise public awareness, especially among patients and healthcare professionals.

Experts discussed and exchanged at the press conference.

At the same time, promote the establishment of early interventions, develop comprehensive treatment plans and personalize the care path for patients. Some outstanding findings from the study include: Recognition of obesity as a chronic disease; gaps in obesity care; barriers to effective care; obesity stigma…

THANH SON

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/viet-nam-la-quoc-gia-co-ty-le-beo-phi-tang-nhanh-nhat-dong-nam-a-post800474.html