[Double burden of malnutrition among children and adolescents aged 6-17 years in 15 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities) of China in 1991-2015].

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the status and the trends of the double burden of malnutrition among children and adolescents aged 6-17 years in 15 provinces(autonomous regions and municipalities) of China in 1991, 2000, 2009 and 2015.

Methods: The data of China Health and Nutrition Surveys in 1991, 2000, 2009 and 2015 were used, children and adolescents aged 6-17 years were selected as the research objects. After excluding those with missing demographic, dietary data and physical measurement data, 2464, 2094, 929 and 1555 children and adolescents were included in the study in each year. The subjects were divided into lean, normal, overweight and obese groups. The dietary information was collected by 3-day 24-hour dietary recall, and edible oil and condiment intakes were collected by weighing method. The dietary micronutrient intake of children and adolescents was calculated according to the food composition table. The estimated average requirement(EAR) was used as the cut-offs of dietary micronutrient intake insufficiency to analyze the situation of micronutrient intake deficiency and double burden of malnutrition.

Results: The prevalence of underweight of children and adolescents aged 6-17 years in 15 provinces(autonomous regions and municipalities) during 1991-2015 showed a downward trend, while the prevalence of overweight and obesity showed an upward trend(all P<0.05). The prevalence of double burden of malnutrition increased from 6.5% in 1991 to 24.6% in 2015. In 1991, 2000, 2009 and 2015, 94.2%, 92.8%, 97.2% and 93.4% of children and adolescents had insufficient dietary micronutrient intake. In 1991 and 2000, 81.6% and 73.7% of children and adolescents had insufficient intake of 3-7 dietary micronutrients at the same time; In 2009 and 2015, 81.8% and 80.7% of children and adolescents had insufficient intake of 3-9 dietary micronutrients at the same time.

Conclusion: The prevalence of overweight and obesity of children and adolescents in 15 provinces(autonomous regions and municipalities) of China was on the rise, the prevalence of insufficient intake of dietary micronutrients is higher, and the double burden of malnutrition was serious.