Tình trạng dinh dưỡng của trẻ em dưới 5 tuổi tại 2 trường mầm non nội và ngoại thành Hà Nội năm 2023

Malnutrition in children under five remains a critical global public health challenge, directly impacting their immediate health and long-term development. In Vietnam, while undernutrition has decreased, there's a concerning rise in overweight and obesity, presenting a "double burden of malnutrition." As a densely populated and rapidly urbanizing capital, Hanoi provides a crucial context for examining these trends. Understanding the diverse nutritional landscape in both inner-city and suburban areas is paramount. This study was therefore undertaken to assess the nutritional status of children under 5 years old attending kindergartens in Hanoi, aiming to provide up-to-date evidence for targeted public health interventions.

Public health professionals, nutritionists, pediatricians, researchers in child health, and policymakers involved in developing child nutrition programs.

This descriptive cross-sectional study, conducted from June to December 2023, aimed to evaluate the **nutritional status** of 426 children under 5 years old attending kindergartens in Hai Ba Trung (inner-city) and Ba Vi (suburban) districts of **Hanoi**. Utilizing anthropometric measurements and WHO (2006) classification, the research assessed prevalence rates of stunting, underweight, wasting, and **obesity**. Key findings revealed that the overall proportions of stunting, underweight, and wasting were 9.1%, 7.5%, and 5.9% respectively. A statistically significant disparity emerged between the two districts, with Ba Vi district exhibiting higher rates of underweight and wasting, while Hai Ba Trung district showed higher stunting and **obesity**. Notably, the highest prevalence of stunting was observed in the 24-35 months age group (23.4%). The study provides compelling evidence of the **double burden of malnutrition** among young children in Hanoi, reflecting the co-existence of under- and over-nutrition challenges. These findings highlight that socioeconomic and geographic factors significantly influence child nutrition outcomes, suggesting that urban and suburban areas face distinct nutritional profiles. The implications are profound, emphasizing the critical need for comprehensive and targeted **child nutrition** interventions that simultaneously address both forms of malnutrition. Successful programs must identify underlying factors and be adapted to specific regional contexts to improve the health and development of children under five.