Prevalence and determinants of chronic energy deficiency among women of reproductive age in rural Northern Vietnam

Chronic energy deficiency (CED) continues to affect women of reproductive age in low-resource rural settings, yet evidence on its prevalence and determinants in northern Vietnam remains limited. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of CED and identify demographic, socioeconomic, and behavioural factors associated with it among non-pregnant, non-lactating women. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 700 women aged 15-49 years from two rural communes in Dinh Hoa District, northern Vietnam, using a multistage random sampling approach. Anthropometric measurements were used to calculate BMI, and structured questionnaires assessed socioeconomic status, nutritional practices, and awareness of CED. Overall, 15.1% of participants had CED (BMI < 18.5 kg/m²), including 12.6% with mild cases and 2.6% with moderate cases. Most women had normal BMI (77.6%), while 7.3% were overweight or obese. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that agricultural occupation (AOR = 2.81, p = 0.001), younger age groups (25-34 years: AOR = 0.43; 35-49 years: AOR = 0.35), and poor attitudes towards CED prevention (AOR = 3.44, p = 0.006) were significantly associated with CED. Borderline associations were observed for poor nutritional practices and low household economic status. These findings indicate that CED remains a moderate public health issue among rural Vietnamese women, particularly those engaged in agriculture and with limited awareness of nutrition. Community-based interventions and workplace nutrition programs are essential for addressing modifiable risk factors and supporting national strategies to reduce the double burden of malnutrition.