A sedentary lifestyle is threatening the physical and mental well-being of young people in Vietnam, according to a recent handbook issued by the Ministry of Health. The handbook provides guidance on physical activity to improve community health, highlighting the urgent need for action.

Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) reveals that a significant majority of children in Vietnam do not meet recommended physical activity levels. Specifically, 91% of girls and 82% of boys are not sufficiently active. This widespread lack of movement and prolonged sitting increase the risk of overweight and obesity, which can lead to dangerous chronic diseases such as cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, and hypertension. Additionally, these sedentary habits negatively impact mental health.

The issue extends beyond children. A 2021 national survey indicated that 22% of adults did not meet recommended exercise levels. This figure included 28% of women and 16% of men. The prevalence of overweight and obesity within this inactive adult group was 15%, rising to 21% in urban areas, underscoring the broader societal impact of inactivity.

For school-aged children, a minimum of 60 minutes of daily physical activity is essential for healthy development. However, current school curricula fall short, with only two physical education classes per week providing approximately 70 minutes of activity. Ly Quoc Bien, Head of the Department for Capacity and Future Skills Development at the Vietnam Institute of Educational Sciences, emphasized that this duration is significantly less than what children require for proper development.

Several factors contribute to this decline in physical activity among students, especially in urban areas. Beyond genetic predispositions and nutritional habits, demanding academic schedules and the pervasive allure of electronic devices like phones and computers continually reduce the time available for movement. Doctor Thi Thi Duyen, from the Department of Respiratory Internal Medicine at Military Central Hospital 108, further explained that rapid urbanization is replacing green spaces with concrete, leading to a critical loss of safe play areas. This, combined with traffic congestion and declining air quality, makes parents increasingly hesitant to allow their children to play outdoors, effectively confining children, adults, and seniors indoors.

Children participate in physical activity, rowing. Photo: Ha Phuong

To address this growing concern and align with the WHO's goal of reducing global physical inactivity by 15% by 2030, the Ministry of Health recommends that children and adolescents engage in at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily, seven days a week. Experts suggest that combating physical inactivity doesn't demand strenuous exercises or professional sports; the crucial aspect is to create more opportunities for movement throughout the day.

Doctor Doan Thu Hong, from the Vietnam Institute of Applied Medicine, referenced studies indicating that individuals regularly exposed to parks and gardens tend to use fewer prescription medications. A Finnish study observed that a group with 3-4 weekly exposures to green spaces used 33% less mental health medication, 36% less hypertension medication, and 26% less asthma medication than a group exposed less than once a week. Doctor Hong explained that green spaces facilitate walking, cycling, and sports, while also promoting relaxation and mental rejuvenation. Consequently, a park walk can provide both physical and mental advantages.

Parents should also limit their children's electronic device usage to under one hour daily.

Le Nga