Dirty food affects children's physical health and learning ability.

Mr. Tran Thanh Duong, Director of the National Institute of Nutrition, spoke at the conference - Photo: Organizing Committee

At the scientific conference on school nutrition, world experience and recommendations for Vietnam organized by the National Institute of Nutrition, the Japan Nutrition Association and the TH Nutrition Institute, Dr. Mai said that unreasonable nutrition, too much carbonated soft drinks, dirty skewers, fast food... not only affect the physical strength but also the mental strength of children.

"There has been research that has determined that children who eat a lot of dirty, unhealthy food have a 20% reduction in their ability to solve math problems. Food is not only nutrition to nourish the body but also energy for the brain," said Dr. Mai.

Ms. Mai also said that comparing obese children who eat a lot of fast food and unhealthy foods, their scores go down compared to children of normal weight. "Applying this problem in Vietnam is the saying 'dirty skewers every day, atrophy the brain'. The solution to this problem is to educate children about nutrition right from school, teaching children from a young age about food and a healthy lifestyle" - Ms. Mai said.

According to Mr. Tran Thanh Duong, Director of the National Institute of Nutrition, Vietnam is currently facing three burdens in child nutrition: stunting in children under 5 years old (currently 18.2%, the world average), while the rate of overweight and obese children is increasing rapidly, especially in urban areas, and micronutrient deficiencies in children.

"The basic goal of the National Nutrition Strategy to 2030 is to reduce the rate of stunted children under 5 years old to below 15%, control the rate of overweight and obese children, especially in urban areas, keep this rate below 19% in the 5-18 age group; strengthen nutrition education in schools..." - Mr. Duong shared.

Regarding international experience, according to Professor Nakamura Teiji, President of the Japan Nutrition Association, since 1954 Japan has issued the School Lunch Law, in 2005 issued the Basic Law on Food and Nutrition Education, standardizing school meals and nutrition education.

Along with other solutions in economics, society, sports..., the average height of Japanese people has reached 172 cm for men and 158 cm for women, while 50 years ago it was 150 cm and 149 cm.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/thuc-pham-ban-anh-huong-the-chat-va-kha-nang-hoc-tap-cua-tre-20241012201035151.htm