Nutrition status of primary and middle school students in poor rural areas of Ningxia during 2013 to 2017 / 中国学校卫生

ABSTRACT

Objective@#To investigate the nutritional status of the rural compulsory education students from "Rural Compulsory Education Students Nutrition Improvement Program"(hereinafter referred to "plan") in Ningxia, to provide a scientific basis for future targeted nutrition education and interventions.@*Methods@#The survey was conducted in 27 732 students aged 6 to 15 years selected by stratified samplings in 7 counties of Ningxia.@*Results@#In the 5 years of the "plan" implementation, trend in decreasing malnutrition rates across the 5 years(18.16%, 18.77%, 17.08%, 14.38%, 14.93%), with statistically significant difference(Chi-square for trend was 47.02, P<0.01). Overnutrition rate significantly increased(5.21%, 4.89%, 5.51%, 5.68%, 6.83%, Chi-square for trend was 6.66, P<0.01).@*Conclusion@#Improved nutritional status of rural primary and middle school students in Ningxia has been observed, Co-occurring of malnutrition in boys and overnutrition requires further attention.