Child malnutrition in Vietnam and its transition in an era of economic growth

Abstract

Children of rural households, poor households, and ethnic minority backgrounds are significantly more likely to be malnourished than urban residents, children of nonpoor households, and the majority Kinh population. Additionally, avenues to escape malnourishment are limited in the former categories. These results suggest that economic improvements in Vietnam have, for the most part, bypassed the rural poor and minorities, and targeting economic resources towards these groups will be most critical to reduce malnutrition in Vietnam.