Vietnam targets to heighten the average stature of men and women at the age of 18 to 168.5cm and 157.5cm respectively by the year 2030, according to a 20-year national program approved by Prime Minister.

The main and direct subjects of the program, which costs VND6 trillion (US$288.5 million), include pregnant women, infants, school graders, teenagers, and men up to 18 years old.

The program, approved in 2011, was only elaborated at an online meeting held on May 24 by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. Lam Quang Thanh – head of the Sports Sciences Institute and vice head of the General Department of Physical Fitness and Sports Training – chaired the event.

It is divided into two phases, from 2011 to 2020 and other period till 2030. The average height for men will be 167cm by 2020 and 168.5cm by 2030. For women, it will be 156cm and 157.5cm respectively.

The program has two tasks: offering a plan for adequate nutrition and health care as well as an education for physical fitness on people from 3-18 years.

Deputy culture minister Le Khanh Hai told local media that the expenses of the national program will be contributed from both State budget and the community through social events.

Doctor Dam Quoc Chinh, chairman of a plan of the national program, added that the world now has at least 46 nations working out their development programs for physical fitness and races, such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia.

Nutrition makes up the greatest role in ensuring the growth of a person, said Thanh. It must be well done since the pregnancy period.

Main factors affecting the height and fitness of a person include nutrition, which makes up 31 percent; heredity 23 percent; sports 20 percent; and the environment and social psychology with 26 percent.