Controlling childhood obesity through the school environment
A diet rich in vegetables, low in high-calorie foods, increased physical activity, and parental involvement may seem like small changes, but they directly impact children’s health. With the rate of overweight and obesity among students in Ho Chi Minh City reaching a significant level, experts believe intervention needs to begin in the very environment where children learn and live each day
Báo Tin Tức•16/08/2026
Don’t let weight become a
Recently, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training, and Novo Nordisk Vietnam signed a Memorandum of Understanding to implement the Cities for Better Health program for the period 2026-2029. This event marks Ho Chi Minh City as the first city in Vietnam and the 57th city globally to join the Cities for Better Health network, aiming to promote disease prevention, improve health understanding, and build healthier communities
According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health, the rate of malnutrition among the city’s residents has decreased significantly, but the rate of overweight and obesity remains higher than the national average. Among school-aged children, 20.4% are overweight and 14.4% are obese, with primary school students having the highest rates
Data from the 2025-2026 school year health check-ups for students by the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control (HCDC) shows that, at the primary school level alone, out of 896,126 students examined, the rate of overweight was 20.4% and obesity was 18.3%. At the lower secondary school level, out of 703,233 students examined, the corresponding rates were 21.5% and 12.1%
Associate Professor, Dr. Huynh Thi Vu Quynh, Head of the Nephrology – Endocrinology Department at Children’s Hospital 2, and also Deputy Head of the Pediatrics Department at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Ho Chi Minh City, stated that obesity is an abnormal and excessive accumulation of fat that affects health. The American Medical Association also recognizes obesity as a pathological condition with many pathophysiological aspects, requiring various interventions in treatment and prevention.
According to data cited by Associate Professor, Doctor Huynh Thi Vu Quynh, Vietnam is among the countries with a high rate of increase in overweight and obesity among children aged 5-19 during the period 2010-2025. This shows that the issue is no longer just a few isolated cases but is related to changes in the living environment, diet, and level of physical activity among children
The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health also pointed out a reality quite close to urban life: people have easy access to fast food and high-energy foods, their diets lack green vegetables, while sedentary lifestyles are becoming increasingly common. Therefore, asking a child to regulate their weight on their own will be difficult to achieve if meals at home, food at school, and the daily habits of the whole family do not change together
Ms. Sule Erdim Ersoy, General Director of Novo Nordisk Vietnam, recognizes obesity as a complex chronic disease influenced by many factors such as biology, genetics, environment, and behavior. Therefore, management needs to be understood in a broad sense, encompassing nutrition, physical activity, behavioral change counseling, and treatment with medication or surgical intervention when appropriate
Another issue noted by Ms. Sule Erdim Ersoy is how the community perceives obese people. Raising awareness about the condition not only serves prevention purposes but also helps reduce stigma, encouraging individuals with weight problems and their families to proactively communicate with healthcare professionals and seek early support instead of avoiding it
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Ambassador Lina Gandløse Hansen of Denmark to Vietnam stated that childhood obesity is related not only to the health of children today but also to their future health, as well as the health of their families and society. According to her, this problem cannot be solved by a single measure or agency alone, but requires a collaborative effort involving the health sector, schools, experts, the community, and families. The solution must also be adapted to local conditions to ensure its long-term sustainability.
In fact, Ho Chi Minh City has already implemented adjustments to the school environment in several areas. The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training has requested educational institutions to strengthen the management of school meals, implement the Ministry of Health ‘s nutritional guidelines, ensure food safety, and coordinate with parents
But meals are only part of the equation. The amount of time children spend exercising, the organization of recess, physical activities, eating habits at home, and parental involvement can all impact lifestyle development. Therefore, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health has identified a three-pronged approach involving healthcare, schools, and families as the foundation for preventing overweight and obesity in children
Know what the child needs before trying to intervene
One lesson learned from the implementation of Cities for Better Health in Thailand is that children can absorb knowledge quite quickly, but changing their behavior takes more time
Ms. Nisanart Yeamkhong, Program Manager of Cities for Better Health Thailand, shared that an obesity prevention education program has been piloted in public schools. Students learn about food choices, energy content in beverages, exercise, and use health diaries to track their daily habits
After two months, the average health knowledge score of the intervention group increased from 4.89 to 7.18 points, equivalent to approximately 47%; the control group increased by about 14%. Meanwhile, the behavioral improvement of the intervention group was only about 5%
The gap between “knowing” and “being able to do” is noteworthy. A student might know that soft drinks contain a lot of sugar or that exercise is good for their health, but their choices also depend on the food being sold, family meals, available space for exercise, and the habits of those they live with. Therefore, the experience in Thailand extends beyond lectures to improving kitchens, meal management, and creating more space for physical activity
To avoid a uniform but ineffective implementation, Ms. Huynh Thi Chi Lan, from the Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy, suggested that clear initial data should be established before intervention. The evaluation content should include criteria for selecting schools and locations, the number of students, relevant target groups, questionnaires, measurement indicators, and data collection and management procedures
The division of responsibilities between the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Education and Training, schools, healthcare facilities, and implementing units was established from the outset. This approach aimed to answer specific questions: What problems are children facing, what factors are common in each group of schools, what solutions are appropriate, and how will things change over time?
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Given the current situation, the city’s health sector prioritizes early screening and detection of overweight and obese children in schools and healthcare facilities, thereby monitoring, providing nutritional advice, and intervening when necessary. The second set of solutions focuses on a healthier living environment, with balanced menus, suitable canteens, and increased physical activity. Technology and digital data are also considered tools to support school health management, communication, and behavioral change.
The cooperation framework for the period 2026-2029 will open up more opportunities for Ho Chi Minh City to connect medical expertise, school systems, scientific research, business resources, and experiences from other cities. Ms. Lina Gandløse Hansen believes that this cooperation also signifies connecting the experiences of Vietnam and Denmark in the year the two countries celebrate the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. She hopes that the coordination between the parties can be translated into concrete activities for children, families, and the community of Ho Chi Minh City.
For Ms. Sule Erdim Ersoy, the value of public-private partnerships lies in their ability to bring science-based approaches into practice and create social impact. For each family, the ultimate results can be seen in simpler things: a healthier meal, more time for children to play, parents knowing when to seek counseling, and schools having enough information to provide early support
When these changes occur consistently in both schools and families, obesity prevention becomes a part of daily life, rather than just a short-term media campaign
Tag:school nutritionstudent healthHo Chi Minh CityCities for Better Health,School obesity,
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