Data presented by the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control (HCDC) at a meeting between the city’s health and education authorities last weekend showed that overweight and obesity remained widespread among students during the 2025-2026 academic year
Among 896,126 primary school pupils examined, 20.4% were overweight and 18.3% were obese. Primary schools recorded the highest obesity rate of all education levels
At the lower-secondary level, 703,233 students were examined, with 21.5% classified as overweight and 12.1% as obese
Among 286,365 upper-secondary students examined, 17.4% were overweight and 8% were obese
Across all school levels, the overall prevalence of overweight was 20.4%, while obesity stood at 14.4%
HCDC said Ho Chi Minh City currently has more than 14 million residents, including over 600,000 children under the age of five and more than 2.4 million school-age children
The scale of the city’s young population means efforts to prevent overweight and obesity need to be coordinated across families, schools and the wider community
Obesity can bring lifelong health consequences
Associate Professor Dr. Huynh Thi Vu Quynh, head of the Nephrology Department and deputy head of the Pediatrics Department at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, said childhood obesity is a complex <a href="https://healthylife7.com/drivers-can-save-up-to-10-days-by-notifying-dvla-of-a-medical-condition-online/” title=”Drivers can save up to 10 days by notifying DVLA of a medical condition online”>condition influenced by numerous factors
These include genetics, hormonal conditions, neurological factors, psychological issues, medication and, importantly, the environment in which children live
According to Quynh, Vietnamese children are increasingly growing up in surroundings that heighten the risk of obesity
Between 2014 and 2019, consumption of carbonated drinks increased by 39%, sweet fast foods by 34% and savory fast foods by 28%
At the same time, children have fewer opportunities to be physically active
As many as 86% of children aged 11-17 fail to meet recommended levels of physical activity
“Obesity is not simply an issue of weight or appearance. It can lead to numerous health conditions from an early age,” Quynh said. “Children who are overweight or obese face an increased risk of high blood pressure, abnormal blood lipids, prediabetes, diabetes, fatty liver disease, sleep apnea, kidney disease, as well as endocrine and musculoskeletal problems.”
More concerning still, childhood obesity is associated with cardiovascular disease and a higher risk of premature death in adulthood
The condition therefore extends beyond the health of an individual child, potentially creating a long-term burden for families, the healthcare system and society
According to Quynh, obesity-related costs can include medical examinations, diagnostic tests, medication to treat associated conditions, surgery and long-term monitoring
She said the approach to obesity needs to shift away from simply treating complications and toward managing obesity itself as a chronic disease
Early detection, multidisciplinary management and environments that encourage healthy eating and physical activity need to begin within families and schools and extend into the broader community
Schools and families part of the response
As part of efforts to prevent overweight and obesity among children and adolescents, Ho Chi Minh City is participating in Cities for Better Health, a global initiative by Novo Nordisk aimed at disease prevention, improving health literacy and building healthier communities
The city’s health sector is working with education authorities to conduct screening, identify cases early and provide nutritional counseling for children through schools and primary healthcare facilities
Ho Chi Minh City is also working toward healthier school environments, including balanced menus, more appropriate food choices in school canteens and increased opportunities for physical activity
At the same time, authorities are expanding public communication efforts and using technology and digital data to manage school nutrition
The aim is to help families and schools coordinate earlier interventions and reduce the risk of obesity-related conditions developing later
