Work

Nutritional status and determinants among primary school students in the challenging terrain of northern mountainous Vietnam

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Malnutrition remains a significant public health challenge among primary school students in the northern mountainous region of Vietnam. We conducted a cross-sectional survey in two primary schools in Trung Khanh District, Cao Bang Province (Trung Khanh Town: n = 476; Dam Thuy: n = 296). Anthropometry followed WHO protocols, and nutritional status was classified using the WHO 2007 growth reference (5-19 years) based on BMI-for-age Z-scores. A parent/guardian questionnaire captured household sociodemographics, parental nutrition knowledge, children's dietary habits, and physical activity. In total, 772 students participated. Thinness prevalence was 18.1% (95% CI: 15.4-21.0), and overweight/obesity was 1.2% (95% CI: 0.5-2.3). In multivariable models, lower household income was associated with higher odds of thinness (aOR 0.57, 95% CI 0.36-0.88), while sugary-drink and snack consumption were key correlates of BMI status. Findings highlight the double burden of malnutrition in ethnic-minority settings and point to school- and household-level targets for intervention.

Source: Scientific Reports

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-28827-4

Authors: Duong Thuy Thi Truong, Trung Thanh Nguyen, Hoa Thanh Thi Le, Hung Le Xuan

Institutions: Thai Nguyen University, Thai Nguyen University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hanoi Medical University

Language: English

Topic: Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Zero hunger, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,690