Evaluation of nutritional status of school-age children after implementation of “Nutrition Improvement Program” in rural area in Hunan, China

Abstract:

Objective To investigate the nutritional status of school-age children in rural area in Hunan, China from 2012 to 2015 and to evaluate the effectiveness of the "Nutrition Improvement Program for Compulsory Education Students in Rural Area" (hereinafter referred to as "Nutrition Improvement Program"). Methods The nutritional status of school-age children aged 6-14 years was evaluated after the implementation of the "Nutrition Improvement Program" and the changing trend of the children's nutritional status was analyzed. The statistical analysis was performed on the monitoring data of the school-age children aged 6-14 years in rural area in Hunan, China from 2012 to 2015, which came from "The Nutrition and Health Status Monitoring and Evaluation System of Nutrition Improvement Program for Compulsory Education Students in Rural Area". Results In 2015, female students aged 6-7 years in rural area in Hunan, China had a significantly greater body length than the rural average in China (P < 0.05). However, the other age groups had significantly smaller body length and weight than the rural averages in China (P < 0.05). After the implementation of "Nutrition Improvement Program", the prevalence rate of growth retardation decreased (P < 0.05), but the prevalence rate of emaciation increased (P < 0.05). At the same time, the prevalence rate of overweight/obesity increased (P < 0.05) and the prevalence rate of anemia decreased (P < 0.05). Conclusions The implementation of "Nutrition Improvement Program" has achieved some success, but the nutritional status of school-age children has not improved significantly. Overweight/obesity and malnutrition are still present. Therefore, to promote the nutritional status of school-age children it is recommended to improve the measures for the "Nutrition Improvement Program".