Ulaanbaatar
National nutrition survey reveals increasing levels of overweight
Society
Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ The fifth national nutrition survey report shows that vitamin and mineral deficiencies still remain at the same level as 2010 among the Mongolian population.
National Center for Public Health conducted the ‘Nutrition Status of Mongolian Population’ study in 2016-2017, with financial and technical assistance rendered by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The national survey covered 94 soums and 30 khoroos selected randomly from 21 aimags and 8 districts of the capital city.
The survey report was launched on February 22. Main findings of the survey include:
National Center for Public Health conducted the ‘Nutrition Status of Mongolian Population’ study in 2016-2017, with financial and technical assistance rendered by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The national survey covered 94 soums and 30 khoroos selected randomly from 21 aimags and 8 districts of the capital city.
The survey report was launched on February 22. Main findings of the survey include:
- 26.6 percent of children under age five, 16.1 percent of mothers and 21.4 percent of pregnant women have anemia
- 27.7 percent of 6-59-month-old children and 29.6 percent of pregnant women have iron deficiency
- Vitamin D deficiency is highly common among children and adults
- 78.9 percent of all households consume appropriate amount of iodized salt, and the population of the western and Khangai region, especially pregnant women are susceptible to iodine deficiency
- Food safety is not ensured in one out of five households
- Half of adult population and one third of school age children are overweight
- The daily number and type of food products consumed by the population are few
In order to reduce the spread of obesity, the survey recommends some measures including raising public awareness on healthy eating and diet, facilitating legal environment on healthy eating and exercising, increasing the plantation of vitamin and mineral-rich fruits and vegetables and population consumption, creating legal arrangements for the protection of children from unhealthy food advertising, and promoting healthy eating and exercising at schools.
Kh.Aminaa
