Double burden of malnutrition and body composition among ethnic minority children aged 5–16 years in Tra Vinh, Vietnam: a community-based study

BACKGROUND: The double burden of malnutrition is increasingly evident in low- and middle-income countries; however, data on ethnic minority children (Khmer, Cham, and Hoa) in Vietnam remain scarce, possibly due to underrepresentation in surveillance, dietary transition, and limited access to health services. METHODS: This community-based cross-sectional study involved 714 ethnic minority children aged 5-16 years in Tra Vinh province, Vietnam, with anthropometry, body composition (InBody 270), and dietary factors assessed using standard protocols. RESULTS: The prevalence of stunting, thinness, and overweight/obesity was 6.3%, 22.6%, and 16.4%, respectively. Stunting was associated with paternal primary education (adjusted odds ratios [AOR] = 2.79, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 1.20-6.47) and breakfast skipping (AOR = 2.10, 95% CI: 1.07-4.09). Thinness was associated with household poverty (AOR = 1.74, 95% CI: 1.14-2.66) but inversely with nutrition knowledge (AOR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.90-0.99). Overweight/obesity was associated with age 5-10 years (AOR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.06-2.44) and higher Non-Communicable Disease (NCD)-Protect dietary scores (reflecting consumption of foods protective against non-communicable diseases) (AOR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.02-1.23). Many children with normal nutritional status showed substantial body composition abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: Ethnic minority children experience a substantial double burden of malnutrition, and abnormal body composition among those with normal anthropometry highlights limitations of conventional nutrition monitoring.