A survey released on 19/6 by the National Institute of Nutrition and Nutrilite Health Institute, involving nearly 1,500 adults, revealed accumulating nutritional risks even among young workers. These include skipping breakfast and a high prevalence of overweight and obesity. This indicates that Vietnam's 74.5-year life expectancy may not be truly fulfilling without a significant number of healthy years.
Senior Lieutenant Colonel, Doctor Vu Son Giang, Political Commissar of Military Hospital 175, observed that Vietnam's average life expectancy is currently higher than many countries with similar income levels and has increased notably over the past two decades. This is a commendable achievement, reflecting the nation's progress in economy, healthcare, nutrition, education, and overall quality of life.
However, in the current development stage, the critical question is no longer how long people live, but how healthily they live. Statistics show that each Vietnamese person spends approximately their 10 final years of life living with illness. On average, an elderly person suffers from three to four underlying diseases, significantly impacting their quality of life.
"Life expectancy should not be viewed merely as a number increasing year by year; what is more important is the quality of life during that lifespan," Doctor Giang said.
Vietnam is entering a new development phase. While three decades ago the priorities were poverty reduction, increasing life expectancy, and expanding healthcare access, the current challenge is ensuring people live healthier in old age.
According to projections from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Vietnam is projected to become an aged population country by 2036. Doctor Giang noted this as a significant challenge, as population aging puts pressure on healthcare, social welfare, and long-term growth.
When discussing quality of life in old age, Nordic countries, Japan, and Singapore are often cited as reference models. In these nations, older adults maintain mobility, self-care, social participation, and joy in life. This is why many countries have shifted their focus from "living long" to "living healthy longer", aligning with the directives of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations.
A positive sign is the evolving health awareness among Vietnamese people. A growing number view health as an asset to be built early, reflected in the increasing popularity of jogging, sports, and regular health check-ups.
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Elderly residents at Thi Nghe Nursing Home. Photo: Quynh Tran |
Elderly residents at Thi Nghe Nursing Home. Photo: Quynh Tran
However, new research indicates a significant gap between awareness and behavior. The prevalence of overweight and obesity in the surveyed group reached 43.6%. Furthermore, over 60% did not consume enough recommended vegetables and fruits, and 26.7% did not eat breakfast regularly. These risks emerge during working age, suggesting that the foundation for health in old age is not determined at ages 60 or 70, but by choices made much earlier in daily life.
Associate Professor, Doctor Tran Thanh Duong, Director of the National Institute of Nutrition, stated that Vietnam faces a "double burden of nutrition". Malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies coexist with rapidly increasing rates of overweight, obesity, and non-communicable diseases. He explained that the current challenge is no longer just "eating enough" but "eating right" and "eating balanced", as proper nutrition is the foundation for early disease prevention.
Experts believe that population aging requires a concerted effort from society, from policy improvement to enhancing preventive healthcare capacity. "Vietnam's true achievement in the future will not only lie in the additional years lived, but in the number of years each person can live healthily, independently, and happily," Doctor Giang said.
Le Phuong
