20 million Vietnamese overweight or obese, many unaware of health risks: experts

The event, ‘Raising Awareness of Obesity – 20 Million Reasons to Act in Vietnam,’ was held to mark World Obesity Day (March 4).

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Quang Nam, head of the endocrinology department at the University Medical Center, said about one billion people worldwide are overweight or obese, a figure projected to rise to nearly half of the global population by 2035.

Vietnam has mirrored the global surge, with the prevalence of overweight and obesity increasing sevenfold over the past two decades.

Obesity rates climb rapidly in Vietnam

According to the World Health Organization, 19.5 percent of Vietnam’s population, or roughly 20 million people, are overweight or obese.

The figure has risen by an estimated 38 percent in recent years, placing Vietnam among the Southeast Asian countries with the fastest growth in obesity prevalence.

The condition is more common in urban areas than in rural regions, largely driven by increasingly sedentary lifestyles.

Greater reliance on motorbikes and cars, prolonged screen time, and limited physical activity have replaced more active daily routines, while diets high in salt, instant noodles, and sugary drinks, combined with low consumption of vegetables and seafood, have further fueled the trend.

Many patients seek care only after complications develop

Doctors cited the case of T.K.D., a 33-year-old finance and accounting worker who spends up to 12 hours a day at a computer and often remains seated for five consecutive hours.

With a body mass index of 41.5 and a waist circumference of 105 centimeters, he was classified as having severe obesity and sought medical care only after developing a leg ulcer that persisted for six months.

Medical examinations uncovered multiple complications, including gastroesophageal reflux disease, severe fatty liver with elevated liver enzymes, hypertension, chronic venous insufficiency, and sleep apnea.

Nam stressed that the condition is not merely excess weight but a chronic disease that disrupts metabolism and places mechanical strain on multiple organs.

He noted that about one-third of people affected do not realize they have a medical condition, while others pursue extreme diets or inappropriate exercise plans instead of consulting healthcare professionals.

As a result, many patients receive treatment only after serious complications emerge, making care more complex and costly.

He added that some healthcare providers have yet to treat the disease as a chronic condition requiring formal diagnosis and long-term management, while unverified information circulating on social media about weight loss and treatment has fueled confusion and encouraged unsafe remedies.

Stigma, depression complicate treatment

Dr. Pham Thi Minh Chau, from the department of psychiatry at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, said stigma remains a major obstacle, as many patients face discrimination, social pressure, and self-blame in addition to physical and financial burdens.

She described a vicious cycle in which depression can lead to emotional or disordered eating and reduced physical activity, contributing to weight gain, while excess weight can worsen low self-esteem and stress, further intensifying depressive symptoms.

About 43 percent of adults with depression are also living with obesity, and those with depression face a significantly higher risk of developing obesity, while children with depressive symptoms tend to have higher body mass index scores than their peers.

Doctors said recognizing obesity as a chronic, multifactorial disease and integrating psychological support into treatment strategies are crucial to breaking this cycle.

World Obesity Day is a global initiative launched by the World Obesity Federation in 2015 to raise awareness and promote action against obesity.

In Vietnam, various campaigns and community programs have been rolled out to encourage healthier lifestyles and curb the growing burden of the disease.