Secular trends in growth and nutritional status of Vietnamese adults in rural Red River delta after 30 years (1976-2006).

In order to assess secular trends in growth of the Vietnamese population following a period of rapid economic growth, a follow-up study on physical growth and nutritional status of adults was carried out in a rural section of the Red River delta, Vietnam 30 years after the original study. The initial study in 1976 found that average height and weight of Vietnamese adults was similar to data collected by French experts Huard and Bigot in 1938. Hence, no noticeable secular trends were observed in almost 40 years. However, the 2006 follow-up study revealed a positive secular trend in growth of adults, aged 16-60 years. The average increased rate in height of males was up to 1.1 cm/decade in the age group 26-40 years and up to 2.7 cm/decade in the age group 16-25 years. Nutritional status, as indicated by body mass index, increased in both sexes and in all age groups between 1976 and 2006. were observed. In 2006, average dietary intake of fat and animal protein was higher than that found in 1976. The percentage of energy from fat in the diet increased from 6% in 1976 to 16% in 2006. This study shows that Vietnam is entering the nutrition transition period.