RESUMEN
Objective To investigate the vitamin D (VD) level and determinants among young children aged 6 to 23 months in 4 poverty-stricken ethnic minority areas of Yunnan Province. Methods Multistage stratified cluster sampling method was used. 1 255 young children aged 6-23 months from 3 to 4 towns of Jianchuan County, Yiliang County, Mojiang County and Lushui County. Questionnaires on caregivers, physical and serum 25(OH)D measure were achieved. VD level and influencing factors were described and analyzed. Results Overall VD level was 20.6(16.3,25.4) ng/ml. The proportion of VD deficiency, VD insufficiency and VD sufficiency were 7.1%, 39.2% and 53.7% respectively. The risk of VD insufficiency elevated with children’age increasing or no VD supplement (P<0.05). Hani minority can decrease the risk of VD deficiency and insufficiency (all P<0.05). Thus, the risk of VD deficiency and insufficiency in children of female, Lisu or Bai minority, or in children who had no nutritional package supplement would increase (all P<0.05). Conclusions The VD level of children aged 6-23 months in poverty-stricken ethnic minority areas of Yunnan Province was low. VD insufficiency was dominating. The intervention of VD deficiency and insufficiency may focus on the children of female, Lisu minority, Bai minority or older than 18 months. This study highlight that enhancing caregivers’ knowledge of VD nutrition, adding VD and nutritional package supplement actively are beneficial to improve VD nutrition of young children in minority poverty areas of Yunnan.