The changes in anthropometric indices and nutritional status among preschool children in a rural area of the Red river delta, Vietnam: A repeated cross-sectional study over three years

UDC: 
613.24
DOI: 
10.21668/health.risk/2025.1.06.eng
Authors: 

Le Thi Tuyet1, Vu Xuan Bach1, Pham Bui Quang Minh1, Nguyen Thi Hong Hanh1, Nguyen Thi Trung Thu1, Le Thi Thuy Dung2

Organization: 

1Hanoi National University of Education, 136 Xuan Thuy St., Cau Giay District, Hanoi, 123106, Vietnam
2Binh Duong Provincial Hospital, 5 Pham Ngoc Thach, Hiep Thanh, Thu Dau Mot, Binh Duong, 75000, Vietnam

Abstract: 

A repeated cross-sectional assessment was conducted over three consecutive years to identify trends in anthropometric indices and nutritional status among preschool children in the Hung Ha district of Thai Binh province, Vietnam.

From 2021 to 2023, data were collected for three distinct samples with a total of 1002 children aged 24–72 months. For children younger than 60 months, the World Health Organization (WHO) 2006 criteria were used to determine the weight-for-age Z-score (WAZ), height-for-age Z-score (HAZ), BMI-for-age Z-score (BAZ), weight-for-height Z-score (WHZ). For children older than 60 age months, the 2007 WHO criteria were used to assess WAZ, HAZ, and BAZ. Significant improvements in weight, height, BMI, and anthropometric Z-scores were observed over the three-year period. While the rates of underweight and stunting declined, the prevalence of overweight and obesity rose significantly, indicating a double burden of malnutrition. This trend appears to originate from socioeconomic changes, increased caloric intake, and reduced physical activity.

The study underscores the need for comprehensive nutritional strategies to address both malnutrition forms, focusing on improving height for balanced and healthy growth among preschool children in rural areas of the Red River Delta.

Keywords: 
anthropometric indices, nutritional status, preschool children, cross-sectional study, socioeconomic changes, healthy nutrition strategies, rural area
Le Thi Tuyet, Vu Xuan Bach, Pham Bui Quang Minh, Nguyen Thi Hong Hanh, Nguyen Thi Trung Thu, Le Thi Thuy Dung. The changes in anthropometric indices and nutritional status among preschool children in a rural area of the Red river delta, Vietnam: a repeated cross-sectional study over three years. Health Risk Analysis, 2025, no. 1, pp. 63–73. DOI: 10.21668/health.risk/2025.1.06.eng
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Received: 
22.11.2024
Approved: 
12.02.2025
Accepted for publication: 
20.03.2025

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