Micronutrient Deficits Are Still Public Health Issues among Women and Young Children in Vietnam

LAILLOU A, VAN PHAM T, TRAN NT, THI LE H, WIERINGA F, ROHNER F, FORTIN S, BACH LE M, THANH TRAN D, MOENCH-PFANNER R, BERGER J.

April 2012, PLoS ONE

As no national data existed on the prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies, a survey was conducted in 2010 to assess the micronutrient status of randomly selected women of reproductive age (n=1526) and children aged 6–75 months (n=586). In women, according to international thresholds, prevalence of zinc deficiency (ZnD, 67.2±2.6%) and vitamin B12 deficiency (11.7±1.7%) represented public health problems, whereas prevalence of anemia (11.6±1.0%) and iron deficiency (ID, 13.7±1.1%) were considered low, and folate (3%) and vitamin A (VAD, 2%) deficiencies were considered negligible. However, many women had marginal folate (25.1%) and vitamin A status (13.6%). Moreover, overweight (BMI≥23 kg/m2 for Asian population) or underweight occurred in 20% of women respectively highlighting the double burden of malnutrition. In children, a similar pattern was observed for ZnD (51.9±3.5%), anemia (9.1±1.4%) and ID (12.9±1.5%) whereas prevalence of marginal vitamin A status was also high (47.3±2.2%). There was a significant effect of age on anemia and ID prevalence, with the youngest age group (6–17 mo) having the highest risk for anemia, ID, ZnD and marginal vitamin A status as compared to other groups. Though the prevalence of anemia and ID in Vietnam has been markedly reduced over the last decade, a large part of the population is still at risk for other deficiencies such as zinc, vitamin A, folate and vitamin B12 especially the youngest children aged 6–17 mo.