Eating too much salt and few vegetables can easily cause illness.

Results of a national survey on the risk of non-communicable diseases show that more than half of the Vietnamese population does not eat enough fruits and vegetables compared to the level recommended by the World Health Organization.

This is the largest survey ever on non-communicable diseases, with the participation of nearly 4,000 people aged 18-69 in 63 provinces and cities.

According to Dr. Truong Dinh Bac, Deputy Director of the Department of Preventive Medicine, Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that each person eats at least 5 servings of vegetables and fruits with about 400 grams per day to prevent cancer, cardiovascular disease and other non-communicable diseases. The results of this survey show that more than 57% of adults in our country do not eat enough vegetables and fruits compared to the recommendations. This rate is higher in men than in women.Compared with the 2010 survey results, this rate has decreased but remains high.

The portion of vegetables and fruits in Vietnamese meals does not meet the WHO's recommended level. Illustration photo: PT

According to the survey results, the average adult consumes 9.4 grams of salt per day, nearly double the WHO recommendation (less than 5 grams per person per day). Eating too much salt is a risk factor for high blood pressure, stroke, stomach cancer, kidney failure, osteoporosis and some other cardiovascular diseases.

Most respondents know that eating too much salt is bad for their health, and 70% say they only eat a moderate amount of salt. Yet the analysis shows that they eat twice as much salt as the recommended amount. This suggests that people are unaware that they are eating too much salt.

In addition, nearly one-third of the population is physically inactive compared to the WHO recommendation of at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week or equivalent. This figure has decreased since the 2010 survey, but only among men. Work-related physical activity accounts for the largest proportion of daily physical activity, while sports, travel and leisure activities account for very small proportions.

Physical inactivity is the fourth leading risk factor for death, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and some cancers. Increasing physical activity not only helps control weight but also prevents non-communicable diseases.

Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long said that Vietnam is facing a double burden of disease. The rate of non-communicable diseases is increasing. Deaths due to non-communicable diseases account for 73% of deaths from all causes, with cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, etc. The cost of treating non-communicable diseases is 40-50 times higher than that of infectious diseases because it requires high technology, expensive drugs, long treatment time, and is prone to complications.Non-communicable diseases are increasing due to behavioral factors such as smoking, lack of physical activity, alcohol abuse, and poor diet.

WHO considers non-communicable diseases a serious crisis in the Asia Pacific region. According to tDr. Lokky Wai, World Health Organization Representative in Vietnam, emphasized that non-communicable diseases and disease risk factors are increasing globally. Like many other developing countries, Vietnam is experiencing an epidemiological transition, increasing non-communicable diseases. Each year, Vietnam has about 160,000 premature deaths between the ages of 30 and 70 due to non-communicable diseases.

According to VNE