Speaking at the 6th Vietnam Community Nutrition Day, organized by Suc Khoe va Doi Song Newspaper in Ho Chi Minh City on the morning of 24/5, Mr. Thuan warned that the conveniences of modern life are inadvertently making people increasingly sedentary. Fast food, sugary drinks, prolonged sitting, and the abuse of alcohol and tobacco are subtly eroding the health of many.

"As the economy develops and technology becomes more convenient, people tend to be less active, eat faster, sleep later, and experience more stress," he said. He added that many non-communicable diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, stroke, or cancer do not appear overnight but develop from small habits over many years.

According to the Ministry of Health leader, health needs to be cared for while one is still healthy, rather than waiting until illness strikes to seek treatment. Prevention is not a distant concept but starts with small daily choices: a less salty meal, replacing soft drinks with water, dedicating 30 minutes to walking in the morning, or turning off phones earlier at night for adequate sleep.

"No one can eat moderately or exercise for us; doctors can advise, and hospitals can treat, but the final decision rests with each individual," Mr. Thuan said, emphasizing that proactive health care is an individual responsibility.

Citing President Ho Chi Minh's teachings on meals being "sufficiently nutritious, simple, hygienic, moderate, not excessive, not lacking," Mr. Thuan suggested that proper nutrition is not about elaborate or expensive meals, but about eating knowledgeably, moderately, and appropriately for one's body.

This message comes as the World Health Organization (WHO) warns that Vietnam is among countries with a high rate of inactive adolescents. Approximately 91% of girls and 82% of boys do not meet the minimum daily physical activity recommendations, reflecting an increasingly common sedentary lifestyle among youth.

Doctors provide nutrition counseling to festival attendees. Photo: Huyen Nguyen

Sharing his personal habits, Mr. Thuan revealed that despite finishing work late, he still maintains the habit of waking early to spend 30-45 minutes jogging or exercising in place. In his daily life, he prioritizes taking the stairs for a few floors and limits sweets and carbohydrates. After every one or two hours of prolonged sitting for work or meetings, he often stands up, stretches, and walks around the room for a few minutes to improve blood circulation.

The 6th Vietnam Community Nutrition Day, held at the Independence Palace grounds, attracted over 3,000 participants and 20 teams performing vibrant, youthful group exercises such as zumba, aerobics, and calisthenics. The program also featured doctors offering nutrition counseling, body mass index measurements, guidance on calorie calculation, and advice on building suitable meal plans to encourage people to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Le Phuong