Environmental conditions determine human stature

According to Prof. Dr. Ha Huy Khoi, Vice President of VN Nutrition Association, since 2003, average height in Vietnamese people has increased by 3.7 cm (in men) and 4 cm (in women). It is the environmental factor (hygiene, nutrition) that has led to this improvement, not the genetic factor.

Nutrition for pregnant women is very important for the development of the child. (Photo: NLD) The survey results of the Nutrition Institute in 1985 showed that from 1938 to 1985, the average height of the adult Vietnamese did not change.

During this time, the height of the male is only 160 cm and the female is 150 cm.

By 2003, according to the Ministry of Health data, the average height of Vietnamese people has improved. The average height in adult men is 163.7cm and female is 154cm (3.7cm in men and 4cm in women).

At the scientific conference 'Improving nutrition and increasing growth in Vietnamese people' which took place in Ho Chi Minh City by the Vietnam Nutrition Association and Dutch Lady VN, GS. Khoi said that the increase in growth in the Vietnamese people is a concrete evidence of the potential of Vietnamese breeds.

This shows that the positive impact of socio-economic achievements in the past two decades. It is also a base to hope the stature of Vietnamese people, both physically and intellectually, better and better.

According to Professor Khoi, the main solution to increasing the growth of Vietnamese people is to apply a proper diet, especially during pregnancy and the first 2 years.

Since 1990, Vietnamese diets have improved: there has been a tendency to reduce consumption of rice and tubers while meat, fat and over-consumption have tended to increase.

However, people's knowledge about proper nutrition has not been universal. High-protein, high-protein diets interfere with alkaline acid and calcium balance, adversely affecting bone metabolism.

For children, milk and milk products are a good source of protein and calcium. In addition, equally important solutions are exercise exercises to improve physical fitness.

Nguyen Sa