Trends and risk factors of anaemia among the nutrition improvement program for rural compulsory education students aged 6-15 years, Hunan Province / 中国学校卫生

ABSTRACT

Objective@#To investigate the prevalence of anemia among students aged 6-15 years old participated in the Nutrition Improvement Program for Rural Compulsory Education Program in 2012-2021 in Hunan Province, and to explore associated factors.@*Methods@#A cluster random sampling method was used. The survey was conducted among compulsory education students who came from counties in Hunan Province where nutrition improvement plan and key surveillance were carried out. Height and weight were measured, hemoglobin, dietary habits and health knowledge were collected.@*Results@#Since the implementation of nutrition improvement plan in 2012, the anemia rate decreased from 12.8% to 9.3%, the average hemoglobin content decreased from 133.9 g/L to 130.0 g/L. The proportion of students eating meat every day increased from 20.4% to 47.3%. Students eating three or more servings of table tennis ball size of meal increased from 21.4% to 47.3%. The proportion of students eating more than three kinds of vegetables per day was 39.1% in 2016 and 32.6% in 2019, and less than 30% in other years. The proportion of students eating three or more servings of table tennis ball size of vegetables increased from 19.5% to 39.6%, and the proportion of students eating snack less than once a day increased from 13.1% to 76.9%. The proportion of students drinking beverages less than once a day increased from 36.5% to 90.7%. Girls, older than 12 years, not eating meat every day, and who eat less than 1 serving of table tennis ball size of meat, eat less than 3 servings of table tennis ball size of vegetables and fruit at one time, and who eat less than 3 kinds of vegetables every day, and those who grow slowly had higher risk of anemia. Potential factors of anemia in students varied by survey year.@*Conclusion@#The implementation of the compulsory education has improved the nutritional status of compulsory education students in rural areas of Hunan Province, but anemia still occurs. Potential factors associated with childhood anemia are changing. Child health literacy education should adapt to the changing social and economic enviornment, as well as lifestyles. Targeted and appropriate nutritional education and intervention are greatly needed.