ABSTRACT
Objective@#To evaluate diet quality and related problems among children and adolescents in Yunnan Province, in order to provide a theoretical basis for the formulation of targeted dietary interventions for children and adolescents in this region.@*Methods@#Using a stratified random sampling method, 1 078 primary and secondary school students from six prefecture level cities in Yunnan Province were selected from August to November 2022. Dietary quality was evaluated by applying the China Children s Dietary Index (CCDI-2016) on the basis of a 3 d 24 h dietary survey.@*Results@#The total dietary index score of children and adolescents in Yunnan Province was 62.63(54.57,71.19). The overall recommended intakes were largely achieved by consumption of cereals, eggs and sugary drinks, with dietary index scores of 9.91(8.24,10.00), 5.58(0,8.58) and 9.20(7.38,10.00), respectively; there were inadequate intakes of vegetables, legumes, water, vitamin A and dietary fiber, with scores of 5.63(4.09,7.59), 3.48 (0,9.70), 4.23(2.67,5.50), 2.33(1.56,3.53), 3.19(1.63,5.67), respectively; intake of fruits, dairy and aquatic products were severely deficient, with scores of 0(0,1.74), 0(0,2.37), 0(0,9.85), respectively; excessive intake of meat was found, with a dietary index score of 0(0,2.46). The stratified analysis showed that children and adolescents aged 11-13 years had the highest total dietary scores[65.35(54.29,72.03)], followed by those aged 7-10 years[63.46(56.19,72.63)], while the 14-17 year old age group had the lowest scores[59.07(51.15,68.30), H=32.23, P <0.01]. Girls had higher total dietary scores than that of boys[64.20(56.12,72.56), 59.32(52.60,69.72), Z=-5.16, P <0.01], while urban children and adolescents had higher total dietary scores than rural children and adolescents[65.30(54.84,73.62), 62.17(54.31,70.70), Z=-2.11, P <0.05]. Furthermore, higher total dietary index scores were observed among children and adolescents whose parents had a higher educational level( H=27.68, 22.58, P <0.01). The comparison of ethnic groups revealed that the Wa children and adolescents had the highest total dietary index scores, while the Hani children had the lowest( H=27.51, P <0.01).@*Conclusion@#The overall dietary quality of children and adolescents in Yunnan Province is not high, the imbalance of dietary nutrition is prominent, and the dietary structure needs to be adjusted and optimized. Intervention programs should focus on the problem of insufficient intake of fruits and vegetables, milk and legumes, aquatic products and excessive intake of poultry meat among children and adolescents.