The changes in anthropometric indices and nutritional status among preschool children in a rural area of the Red River Delta, Vietnam: a repeated cross-sectional study over three years

A repeated cross-sectional assessment was conducted over three consecutive years to identify trends in anthropometric indices and nutritional status among preschool children in the Hung Ha district of Thai Binh province, Vietnam. From 2021 to 2023, data were collected for three distinct samples with a total of 1002 children aged 24-72 months. For children younger than 60 months, the World Health Organization (WHO) 2006 criteria were used to determine the weight-for-age Z-score (WAZ), height-for-age Z-score (HAZ), BMI-for-age Z-score (BAZ), weight-for-height Z-score (WHZ). For children older than 60 age months, the 2007 WHO criteria were used to assess WAZ, HAZ, and BAZ. Significant improvements in weight, height, BMI, and anthropometric Z-scores were observed over the three-year period. While the rates of underweight and stunting declined, the prevalence of overweight and obesity rose significantly, indicating a double burden of malnutrition. This trend appears to originate from socioeconomic changes, increased caloric intake, and reduced physical activity. The study underscores the need for comprehensive nutritional strategies to address both malnutrition forms, focusing on improving height for balanced and healthy growth among preschool children in rural areas of the Red River Delta.