Nutritional Practices Among Ethnic Minority High School Students in Mountainous Regions, Vietnam

Nhung Thi Ninh (), Chinh Thi Kieu Pham, Nga Thi Thanh Nguyen, Tu Thi Thanh Pham, Huong Thi Lan Dao, Lien Phuong Vu, Minh Thi Tran and Quang Van Mai
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Nhung Thi Ninh: Thai Binh University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Thai Binh 410000, Vietnam
Chinh Thi Kieu Pham: Thai Binh University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Thai Binh 410000, Vietnam
Nga Thi Thanh Nguyen: Tay Bac University, Son La 34000, Vietnam
Tu Thi Thanh Pham: Tay Bac University, Son La 34000, Vietnam
Huong Thi Lan Dao: Tay Bac University, Son La 34000, Vietnam
Lien Phuong Vu: Tay Bac University, Son La 34000, Vietnam
Minh Thi Tran: Tay Bac University, Son La 34000, Vietnam
Quang Van Mai: Tay Bac University, Son La 34000, Vietnam

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 7, 1-16

Abstract: Background: Vietnam is experiencing a significant “double burden” of malnutrition, characterized by the persistent challenge of undernutrition, particularly stunting in ethnic minority and mountainous regions, alongside a rising prevalence of overweight and obesity. Understanding dual nutritional status and its related factors in adolescents from these vulnerable areas is crucial for effective intervention. Objective: The current study explored the nutritional status of ethnic minority secondary school students in some mountainous provinces in the northwest of Vietnam and identified some related factors. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study over six months (June–December 2023), involving 1847 ethnic minority high school students from Son La and Dien Bien provinces, recruited through convenience sampling in primary healthcare settings. Nutritional status was determined using WHO 2006 Child Growth Standards, specifically height-for-age Z-scores (HAZ) and body mass index (BMI)-for-age Z-scores (BAZ). A 4-point scale assessed nutritional practices, including food consumption frequency and eating habits. Results: This study identified a stunting (HAZ < −2 SD) prevalence of 16.7% and wasting (BAZ < −2 SD) of 5.6%; overweight/obesity (BAZ > +1 SD) prevalence was 8.2%. Key factors related to stunting were being male, having more siblings, poor/near-poor household economic status, low maternal education level, and frequent occurrences of gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases. A higher risk of overweight/obesity was associated with consuming more than three meals daily, nocturnal snacking, frequent intake of fried foods, insufficient consumption of vegetables and fruits, and inadequate daily physical activity. Conclusions: Our study shows a comprehensive picture of malnutrition among children in ethnic minority areas. Essential nutritional intervention programs, projects, and models are a top priority to reduce the disease burden for children’s bright future and to enhance socio-economic development in the mountainous regions of Vietnam.

Keywords: malnutrition; adolescents; ethnic minorities; mountainous regions; Vietnam (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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