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A display area showcasing educational materials on school nutrition at the event. (Photo: WVIV)

According to the National Institute of Nutrition in 2025, the rate of stunting among children in Quang Tri remains at 16.8%, while the rate of wasting is 5.1%. In some remote and disadvantaged communes, the stunting rate even exceeds 30%. Meanwhile, in urban and more developed areas, overweight and obesity are on the rise due to unbalanced diets and a lack of physical activity. This is considered a “double burden” in current child healthcare: malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies on the one hand, and an increased risk of overweight and lifestyle-related diseases on the other.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Tran Van Thinh, Deputy Director of the Quang Tri Department of Health, emphasized that school nutrition is not just about providing meals to satisfy hunger, but about ensuring that children have access to balanced, scientifically planned, age-appropriate, and food-safe diets. According to him, each school meal must not only be nutritionally adequate but also ensure clear food origins, processing procedures that comply with regulations, and strict control at every stage.

From a professional perspective, Nguyen Anh Dong, Deputy Director of the Quang Tri Center for Disease Control, said that school nutrition efforts still face many challenges. Nutrition education activities in schools remain inconsistent, and many localities still lack long-term action plans to improve students’ nutritional status.

Delegates tour the school cafeteria, which meets food safety and hygiene requirements for students. (Photo: WVIV)

One of the key topics was the shift in perception regarding school nutrition: from “eating enough” to “eating right and eating safely.” Associate Professor Dr. Truong Tuyet Mai, Deputy Director of the National Institute of Nutrition, stated that investing in nutrition is the smartest, most effective, and most sustainable investment in human development. “Nutrition not only helps children develop physically but also nurtures their intellect, creativity, and lifelong potential,” she emphasized.

According to experts, school nutrition should be regarded as an essential part of the human resource development strategy, contributing to improvements in the stature, health, and learning capacity of Vietnamese children in the long term. The effective implementation of Decision No. 3958/QD-BYT issued by the Ministry of Health on nutritional guidelines for school meals is expected to lay the groundwork for standardizing meal portions, strengthening food safety, and promoting nutrition education in schools.

Doseba Tua Sinay, Head Representative of World Vision International in Vietnam. (Photo: WVIV)

Speaking at the event, Doseba Tua Sinay, Head Representative of World Vision International in Vietnam, affirmed that school nutrition is not a short-term intervention but a long-term investment in children, communities, and the future of the country. He stated that through the ENOUGH Initiative - Adequate Nutrition, the organization is working closely with the National Institute of Nutrition, local authorities, and schools to implement activities aimed at improving nutrition for children within families, communities, and schools.

In addition to technical support and the development of local models, the program also promotes nutrition education for teachers, parents, and students; supports malnutrition prevention; and improves access to clean water, school sanitation, and facilities to create a safe learning environment for children. According to him, these activities are also aligned with the National Nutrition Strategy for the 2026–2030 period and Vietnam’s broader direction toward strengthening school healthcare.

The event concluded with a commitment-signing ceremony between management agencies, schools, development organizations, and the community to promote school nutrition in Quang Tri.

Delegates signed a commitment to work together among management agencies, schools, development organizations, and the community to promote school nutrition in Quang Tri. (Photo: WVIV)

Phan Huu Huyen, Deputy Director of the Department of Education and Training of Quang Tri, expressed his hope that inter-sectoral coordination activities will continue to be strengthened, effective models will be studied and replicated, thereby building a more sustainable network of action for school nutrition in the locality.

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